Former St George Illawarra Dragons player and State of Origin representative Trent Merrin has been charged with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury and one count of participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity after police raided a property in Shell Cove in July. The 37-year-old was arrested and granted police bail on Tuesday and will face Wollongong Local Court on November 24.
NSW Police said the Organised Crime Squad strike force worked with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in the months-long investigation. On July 24, officers executed a warrant at a Shell Cove property, where they uncovered what police called 'an alleged clandestine peptide manufacturing facility and large quantities of restricted substances.'
The TGA says illegal peptides are short chains of amino acids not evaluated or approved by regulators, increasingly advertised online for weight loss and muscle growth.
Merrin's solicitor, Paul McGirr, said his client would plead not guilty to all charges. 'We will request a brief of evidence and take it from there,' Mr McGirr said.
A 39-year-old man was arrested in August and charged with the same manufacturing counts; his matter has been finalised in court.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case highlights the increasing availability and regulation of unapproved peptides advertised for weight loss and muscle gain.
- It demonstrates collaboration between police and the TGA to target illegal manufacturing operations.
- For the NRL community, a former representative player facing criminal charges is a significant development.
Background
Trent Merrin is a former NRL player who played for the St George Illawarra Dragons and represented New South Wales in State of Origin. Illegal peptides are short chains of amino acids that have not been evaluated or approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The investigation involved a strike force from the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad working with the TGA.
Key Perspectives
Trent Merrin's defence (through solicitor Paul McGirr): Merrin will plead not guilty to all charges and will request a brief of evidence to prepare his case.
NSW Police: Allege Merrin was involved in the manufacture of illegal peptides as part of a criminal group, following a raid that uncovered a clandestine lab and restricted substances.
What to Watch
- Merrin's court appearance set for November 24 at Wollongong Local Court.
- Whether the brief of evidence leads to changes in the charges or plea.
- Potential further arrests or developments in the broader investigation.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFormer NRL player Trent Merrin was charged with manufacturing illegal peptides.Just In: “Former NRL player Trent Merrin has been accused of taking part in the manufacture of illegal peptides”
- SupportedPolice allege a clandestine lab was uncovered in Shell Cove.Just In: “where police uncovered an alleged clandestine peptide manufacturing facility and large quantities of restricted substances”
- SupportedMerrin’s solicitor said he would plead not guilty to all charges.Just In: “His solicitor, Paul McGirr, said Mr Merrin would plead not guilty to all the charges.”
- SupportedMerrin was charged with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury and one count of participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity.Just In: “Mr Merrin, 37, was arrested and granted police bail on Tuesday following a months-long investigation. The former St George Illawarra Dragons player and State of Origin representative has been charged with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury and one count of participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity.”
- SupportedMerrin is a former St George Illawarra Dragons player and State of Origin representative, and is 37 years old.Just In: “Mr Merrin, 37, was arrested and granted police bail on Tuesday following a months-long investigation. The former St George Illawarra Dragons player and State of Origin representative”
- SupportedMerrin was arrested and granted police bail on Tuesday, and will face Wollongong Local Court on November 24.Just In: “Mr Merrin, 37, was arrested and granted police bail on Tuesday following a months-long investigation. [...] Mr Merrin was later arrested and charged and will face Wollongong Local Court on November 24.”
- SupportedNSW Police said an Organised Crime Squad strike force worked with the TGA during the months-long investigation.Just In: “NSW Police said an Organised Crime Squad strike force had been working with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), to investigate the alleged manufacture, supply and distribution of peptides.”
- SupportedOn July 24, officers executed a warrant at a Shell Cove property and uncovered an alleged clandestine peptide manufacturing facility and large quantities of restricted substances.Just In: “On Friday 24 July 2026, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant in Shell Cove, where police uncovered an alleged clandestine peptide manufacturing facility and large quantities of restricted substances”
- SupportedThe TGA says illegal peptides are short chains of amino acids not evaluated or approved by regulators and are increasingly advertised online for weight loss and muscle growth.Just In: “Illegal peptides are short chains of amino acids that have not been evaluated or approved by regulatory bodies and are increasingly being advertised online for weight loss and muscle growth, according to the TGA.”
- SupportedMcGirr said, “We will request a brief of evidence and take it from there.”Just In: “"We will request a brief of evidence and take it from there," Mr McGirr said.”
- SupportedA 39-year-old man was arrested in August, charged with the same manufacturing counts, and his matter has been finalised in court.Just In: “Police first arrested a 39-year-old man as part of the investigation on August 14 and charged him with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury. His matter has been finalised in court.”