Former rugby star John Tobin, 66, served 8.5 years in prison for cocaine smuggling, now seeks to deter others while rebuilding his life.

Former Sydney Roosters captain John Tobin, 66, has spoken about his eight-and-a-half years in prison following a failed billion-dollar cocaine smuggling attempt. After a sudden divorce and financial strain, he turned to selling drugs on the Gold Coast, leading to arrest during a police operation linked to a syndicate allegedly using a Colombian submarine. Though he claims he was not a ringleader and was unaware the group was infiltrated by an undercover officer, he was caught and sentenced. Now awaiting sentencing for ongoing drug supply charges, Tobin, who served time in maximum security, expresses remorse, acknowledges his mistakes, and hopes his story deters others. He lives in a western Sydney motel, struggling to rebuild his life with limited resources.