Northern Territory police will apply to extradite disgraced biochemist Stephen Dank from Victoria after he failed to appear in a Darwin court to face charges.
The 56-year-old sports scientist, who was the architect of the supplements regime scandal at AFL club Essendon, was hit with 20 charges by NT police in 2019.
The charges - including fraud, uttering a forged document, recklessly endangering serious harm and causing serious harm - relate to Mr Dank's time working at a Darwin anti-ageing clinic in 2017.
He has failed to show in court since July 2020 and a warrant was issued for his arrest four months later.
Darwin police confirmed on Monday that they will seek Mr Dank's extradition from Victoria.
"NT Police are preparing an application for extradition for the consideration of the Director of Public Prosecutions," it told AAP in a statement.
The Ageless Health Clinics NT where the alleged offending took place has declined to comment on the allegations but states on its website that it supplies medically administered anti-ageing and cosmetic treatments.
Essendon's 2012 supplements scandal led to 34 players being suspended from competition in 2016 - and coach James Hird in 2014 - after they were found to have been injected with the banned substance Thymosin beta-4.
The biochemist was also involved in the NRL supplements scandal involving the injecting of two growth hormone-releasing peptides at Cronulla, resulting in a 12-month ban for coach Shane Flanagan and 12 players.
When Dank was charged, player-manager Peter Jess - who represents former Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray - told News Corp newspapers the allegations placed fresh doubt on what was given to players and the potential health implications.
Dank was also targeted in a drive-by shooting and suffered a graze injury when a bullet fragment hit his forehead after six shots were fired at his Melbourne home in the middle of the night in July 2016.
Australian Associated Press
