Former NRL player Michael Gordon stood down over alleged drug charges

Former NRL player and Gold Coast Titans specialist coach Michael Gordon has been charged by police in connection with a syndicate that allegedly distributed illicit drugs such as MDMA and cocaine across the NSW and Queensland border.

Gordon was charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug as part of a wide-ranging police sting yesterday.

Six others were arrested and charged, all accused of allegedly operating the syndicate on the NSW Far North Coast and in south-east Queensland.

"There's a very strong likelihood, given the types of drugs that were located, that if they didn't end up on the streets here at Byron Bay, that they would be on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast," Matt Kehoe from NSW Police said, suggesting the haul had been intended for selling to young people celebrating Schoolies.

The Gold Coast Titans released a statement saying Gordon has been stood down from his contract position until further notice.

"The Gold Coast Titans have been made aware that Michael Gordon has been charged by police," the club said in a statement.

"Michael has been working on a contract basis, providing specialist coaching services to the Club over the past season. He will not be providing services to the club until further notice.

"The Club will make no further comment as the issue is now with police."

Gordon has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Tweed Heads Police station next month.