The NRL is bracing itself for the Brisbane Broncos to become the next club to be embroiled in the cocaine scandal amid fears Broncos identities will be handed notices to appear before the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.

The development comes as the QCCC foreshadowed the prospect of further arrests of "current or former sportspeople" by the end of this week or next. Fairfax Media understands the NRL is preparing for the worst, despite having no firm evidence on which to base its concerns, and the clear links between the club and former Bronco Karmichael Hunt, coupled with Brisbane's close proximity to the Gold Coast, is putting head office on high alert.

Hunt made his name during a six-year stint at Red Hill, graduating to Queensland and Australian honours in his 125-game NRL career. The code-hopper was keen to return to rugby league this year but the money available could not compare with the offer to join the Queensland Reds. But the 28-year-old still has close links with the league fraternity, particularly with Queensland-based NRL players.

The scandal may also extend to the AFL, given Hunt was contracted to the Gold Coast Suns for part of the QCCC's investigations, which ran from June to December of last year. Hunt also has close ties with the Brisbane Lions squad, raising the possibility of both AFL franchises being caught up in the scandal.

The evidence against those Titans who have been charged has been described as flimsy, but that information is coming from naturally prejudiced sources, namely the players' legal representatives. Nevertheless, the QCCC has chosen to make its revelations public, leading some to assume it has more evidence than has been made available ahead of the first court hearing on March 5.

There is every likelihood more players will  be named should those already charged not fully co-operate with the QCCC. Like the Australian Crime Commission, the QCCC can compel witnesses to give truthful answers and jail is a consequence for those failing to do so. Under those conditions, interviews are likely to produce more names. It is understood the players will be grilled about one very prominent NRL player manager.

Fairfax Media on Tuesday revealed that part of the QCCC's investigations focused on the activities of former Queensland and Australian star Jason Smith during the 1994 Kangaroos reunion late last year. Officials attending the three-day celebration were reportedly dismayed by the disappearance of Smith and another high-profile Kangaroo for an entire day.

Even before the drugs revelations, there were concerns about the pair's activities throughout the 20-year reunion festivities. Smith and another Origin representative, Matt Seers, were charged with supplying cocaine earlier this year.

In a veiled swipe at the QCCC, Titans coach Neil Henry hit out at leaks that have resulted in the media seeming to have more information than the club or even the players charged. In a statement, the QCCC denied disseminating information to the press and said legislative restraints prevented it from fully briefing the affected clubs.

"The CCC's public statements have indicated this investigation is focused on a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating in South-East Queensland," the statement said. "At no stage has the CCC alleged any individuals charged in the last week have been trafficking cocaine or that there is a syndicate operating primarily in sporting organisations … The CCC will not allege any of the individuals charged in the last week used illegal substances in a performance enhancing capacity."

A weary Broncos contingent flew into Brisbane airport at midnight on Tuesday after travelling a day-and-a-half from the World Club Series in England. The Broncos beat Wigan in extra time then immediately boarded a bus for the four-hour journey to Heathrow. After a three-hour wait, they flew seven hours to Abu Dhabi before a 14-hour haul to Sydney, where they were delayed an extra hour before leaving for Brisbane.

with Roy Masters