<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A feted former NRL speedster has been cleared of possessing drugs and suspected stolen cash after police withdrew the charges against him at the last minute.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>James Roberts, 32, who played more than 160 NRL games for five clubs during his career, pleaded not guilty to possessing a prohibited drug and suspected stolen goods.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police allege he had 0.3 grams of cannabis and $1400 in suspected stolen cash when he was pulled over on the morning of July 30, 2024.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rich-choup-murder-contract-crew-sought-over-death-torture-incidents-in-nsw-queensland/7270a0e4-7d13-4f62-bea1-39d74cb95ec7" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Victims of deadly 'contract crew' worked for drug gang, police say</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the charges against the 2015 Dally M centre of the year were withdrawn by police at a court hearing where he was scheduled to contest them this morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Outside court, his lawyer Najee Makhoul said there had been no evidence to link the former NRL player to the offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police assumed Roberts' wad of cash was illegally obtained, but that was "just not the case at all", Makhoul said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-court-former-nrl-star-james-roberts-relieved-after-cops-drop-weed-and-stolen-cash-charges/d21da4ea-b155-4151-a03a-6b7d6c4eb9c8" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The retired footballer received cash payments for NRL outings and appearances, and might withdraw funds from his bank, his lawyer said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That was the case here, and was just a wrong charge laid for the wrong reasons, and unfortunately he faced the consequences as a result," Makhoul said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The small amount of cannabis likewise couldn't be linked to Roberts because it had been found in his passenger's bag.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-central-coast-wamberal-crash-allegedly-armed-pair-arrested-after-police-pursuit-ends-in-crash/3e1d3c0c-bc39-4f67-9508-3fce7860b419" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Allegedly armed pair arrested after police pursuit ends in crash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Roberts, who did not appear in court today, is looking forward to putting the ordeal behind him, Makhoul said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a very fortunate outcome," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"(Roberts) is relieved, relieved for it to be done. He wants to continue with his life and move on."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nicknamed "Jimmy the Jet" for his speed, Roberts played for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos across 12 seasons in the NRL.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He appeared in all three games for NSW in the team's successful 2018 State of Origin campaign and played for the Indigenous All Stars and City Origin before retiring in 2022.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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