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The new fiancé of former NRL star Braith Anasta's ex-girlfriend Rachael Lee has had all charges withdrawn over an alleged $12million meth and cocaine operation, on the same day she is due to give birth to their first baby.
Evan Faulks, 40, was extradited from Queensland in 2023 following an 18-month investigation into drug consignments intercepted by US authorities.
Faulks, who police allege is a 'high-ranking member' of the Bra Boys, was originally accused of running a criminal operation which imported and distributed drugs worth $12.6million around Sydney.
In March 2024, police withdrew a charge that Faulks had knowingly directed the activities of a criminal group, and another that he knowingly dealt with the proceeds of crime with intent to conceal.
He pleaded not guilty to dealing with property worth $266,954 which was suspected to be the proceeds of a crime between September 2016 and May 2017.
On Monday, by mutual agreement with prosecutors, that last charge was withdrawn and dismissed at a brief hearing not attended by Faulks, who was preparing with Lee to welcome their first child together.
Faulks' lawyer Greg Gould revealed the news to the Daily Mail and said his client was very happy with the outcome.
It will be Lee's third child and a younger sibling for seven-year-old Gigi, whom she shared with Anasta, and Addison, 15.
Rachael Lee is due to give birth to her first child on Monday - the same day her baby's father, pro surfer Evan Faulks had final charges cleared against him over an alleged $12m drug operation
Former NRL star Braith Anasta's ex-girlfriend Rachael Lee
Anasta and Lee confirmed their separation in November 2022 after people noticed they had stopped following each other on Instagram and that she was no longer wearing her engagement ring.
A month later, Lee debuted her romance with Blake Hillen, a bricklayer and amateur boxer from the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south.
At the time, Lee posted a picture on Instagram of herself at the beach with Hillen as they shared a bottle of wine and watched the sunset.
A source told the Daily Mail in 2023 that Lee and Hillen were 'inseparable', but the relationship ended soon after.
Faulks and Lee's romance was first revealed in March 2024, and three years after her split with Anasta, Lee and Faulks revealed their engagement.
The mother-of-two announced the news in an Instagram post, sharing a video and pictures of Evan proposing during a trip to Uluru.
In the clip, Evan is seen getting down on one knee at sunset with the iconic landmark in the background.
Lee described the romance as 'so beautiful and deep' and said Evan was an 'amazing presence in the lives' of her children.
Rachael Lee getting engaged to Braith Anasta in 2022
Rachael Lee and Evan Faulks (pictured) became engaged last year after a trip to Ulruru where he got down on one knee and proposed to her
Rachael Lee when she was engaged to ex NRL star Braith Anasta, with children, Aleeia, his daughter with Jodi Gordon, Rachael's son Addison and the daughter they share together, Gigi (right)
'My relationship with Evan is something I've never had before,' she said.
'I feel so beyond lucky to have him in mine, Addi and Gigi's lives. Evan is such an honest, loyal and kind soul and a really great father and partner.'
She also hinted they have 'really exciting future plans happening together', later confirming she was pregnant with 'baby Faulks on the way'.
Faulks' lawyer Greg Gould said at the Downing Centre Court the decision to drop all charges was a good result for his client.
He added that the investigation into the pro surfer had been a 'waste of time and money'.
Faulks had been subjected to strict bail conditions, including reporting to Maroubra police station between 8am and 8pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and not going within 500m of any point of international departure.