Peptides letter key to ASADA probe

Dave Smith NRL Chief Executive. Picture: Porteous Gregg Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

ASADA has scored a major coup in its NRL investigation, obtaining letters promoting specific peptides that have been given to as many as 20 players implicated in the probe.

As NRL boss Dave Smith prepares to meet ASADA and politicians in Canberra on Monday, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the letters provide details about the two peptides at the centre of Cronulla's 2011 supplement program - GHRP-6 and CJC-1295.

They also carry the nickname and contact details belonging to one of the parties alleged to have injected Sharks players; supplement sales representative Darren 'The Gazelle' Hibbert.

The contact details of Darren Hibbert appear on the letters obtained by ASADA. Supplied by Channel 9. Source: Supplied

A source familiar with the contents last night likened the letters to "information sheets", confirming that they discussed the health benefits of each peptide, which accelerate the body's natural production of growth hormone.

The source also confirmed the letters makes representations that both GHRP-6 and CJC-1295 are unidentifiable through blood and urine tests. The substances have been banned under s2 of the WADA code since 2004.

Hibbert's moniker - The Gazelle - appears at the bottom of each letter as a contact person, with his mobile phone number also included.

An independent investigation conducted by the Sharks in February found Hibbert was one of at least three men who injected Cronulla players with peptides CJC - 1295 and GHRP-6 at training sessions in early 2011. Hibbert possesses no known medical qualifications.

Eleven members of Cronulla's 2013 squad were questioned by ASADA in August, with some confirming Hibbert's presence at the club two seasons earlier.

However, ASADA's challenge has been to prove that the injections given to Sharks players contained banned substances.

The letters are viewed as a huge step forward toward closing the evidentiary gap, because they identify the substances and address their detectibility.

They could also implicate players at other clubs who had private contact with Hibbert.

Earlier this year, Hibbert admitted to selling permitted supplements to players from a variety of clubs - including Cronulla, Manly and North Queensland - from the boot of his car.

Eleven members of the Sharks 2013 squad were questioned by ASADA in August. Source: DailyTelegraph

The Daily Telegraph understands the letters have been tabled in recent ASADA interviews.

ASADA is attempting to use its new coercive powers to interview Hibbert, who was brought to Cronulla to assist sports scientist Stephen Dank.

It's believed Dank - who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing - did not personally give any injections at Cronulla.

The NRL's first response to the Cronulla crisis is expected to arrive shortly after next Wednesday's ARLC board meeting.

A fine of up to $1 million, as well as deregistration of current and former coaching staff, are possibilities should the NRL conclude that Cronulla's 2011 supplement program has brought the game into disrepute.

While no doping sanctions against any past or present Sharks players are expected before Christmas, it's believed the NRL are considering sanctions against a small number of players for code of conduct breaches.

NRL boss Dave Smith will meet with Aurora Andruska the Chief Executive Officer Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on Monday. Source: News Limited

Smith will meet ASADA boss Aurora Andruska, along with new Coalition Government sports minister Peter Dutton, in Canberra on Monday.

Information passed on to Smith in that briefing will be crucial to shaping the NRL's response later in the week.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed that ASADA has accelerated its 10-month investigation toward finality, publishing a Disclosure Notice that compels persons of interest to attend interviews and submit documents.

A host of disclosure notices have been activated in recent weeks, indicating that the new government is eager to bring the long-running saga to a close.

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