New Zealand Samoan former world heavyweight boxing champion Laauli Lupesoliai Joseph Parker has been identified as the New Zealand sports star that’s allegedly linked to a conspiracy to import methamphetamine into the country.
It has taken two years before an order suppressing publication of the former WBO heavyweight champions name could be lifted.
Laauli has not been charged in relation to the case, but the Crown alleged that he played a role in a drug ring involving three other men who conspired to import methamphetamine and was involved in transporting and converting currency to facilitate transactions.
The 29-year-old wanted to keep his identity hidden after prosecutors named him during the N.Z. High Court trial of Tevita Fangupo, Tevita Kulu and Toni Finau in 2019.
The former heavyweight champion has strenuously denied the allegations.
“I have never been involved in the importation of class A drugs,” Lupesoliai’s affidavit reads.
“I have never changed or transported money for the defendants. I have never been involved in the purchase, supply or consumption of methamphetamine, nor was I charged by the police in relation to the specific messages alleged to relate to me, after what appeared to be a thorough investigation.”
Some claims against the boxer by the Crown, however, are still maintained.
Evidence at trial from Finau’s phone also revealed a series of Wickr messages between himself and a user called “joeboxerparker” between November 9 and 12 in 2017.
This was later described by the Court of Appeal as “damaging” to Parker.
It has been accepted by Parker’s lawyer Michael Heron, QC, that joeboxerparker was his client’s Wickr address.
Heron argued at the Court of Appeal “[a]t most … [this] evidence could be used to allege possible involvement in the recreational purchase or use of drugs.”
The court, however, said the messages “go further than that”.
