Former Olympic sprinter and professional fast man Joel Milburn has allegedly tried to out-run the police after being caught with a bag of cocaine last month.
[jwplayer U0ss8rpe]
The incident in question took place on October 17, when the former Olympic athlete tried to do a runner after allegedly being caught in possession of a bag of the prohibited substance.
Police allege Milburn was outside a Riley Street hotel in Surry Hills at approximately 10pm when officers approached him.
Detectives from strike Force Northrop, a team tasked with investigating a cocaine ring in Sydney’s CBD, tried to stop Milburn as he left the venue.
But it appears his professional running days are behind him, because Joel was arrested a short time later while trying to dispose of the substance.
The 33-year-old Sydney resident has represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games in the 400m sprint and relay. With a personal best of 44.8 seconds for the 400m sprint, you’d expect him to be a bit faster when evading police.
He is currently facing charges of possessing a prohibited substance, resisting arrest and hindering police.
Joel is one of 186 people to be targeted by the Strike Force’s efforts since its formation in September 2018.
Milburn faced court in Sydney on Monday morning, and is expected to return on December 16. His lawyer has indicated that he’s likely to plead guilty to the charges pressed against him.
Since his court appearance this morning at Downing Centre Court, an additional four men have been arrested in raids across the city, according to SMH. Over 1.25kg of cocaine has been seized in the raids in the lead up to Melbourne Cup day, with an estimated street value of half a million dollars.
“Hopefully the streets will be dry of cocaine in the following weeks and coming up to Christmas,” Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said.
Joel’s case has been adjourned until December 16, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated with the result.
