The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand has banned a surf lifesaving and athletics athlete from all sport for three years for the possession and trafficking of banned substances.

In a media release, the tribunal said Customs had intercepted a parcel addressed to Morgan Foster on September 30.

The parcel contained a mixture of peptides, substances that increase growth-hormone secretion and experimental substances which are banned in sport at all times.

The release said Foster admitted to breaching anti-doping rules and submitted that he had purchased the substances for another person to help them manage an injury.

The Sports Tribunal imposed a sanction of three years ineligibility based on Foster’s early admission and the low level of seriousness of the trafficking violation.

Paul O’Neil, the Sport Integrity Commission’s general counsel, said the misuse of banned substances “can have serious health consequences”.

“It’s disappointing to see an athlete importing banned substances – even more so when the intention is to distribute those substances to a third party. Such actions can not only threaten the health of athletes but also compromise the integrity of sport.

“We’re grateful for our ongoing partnerships with NZ Customs and Medsafe as we work to protect athlete health, integrity and the spirit of sport.”

Zac Franich, Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s general manager – sport, said; “We are disappointed to hear one of our members was found to have violated World Anti-Doping Agency rules. A fair playing field is a foundation of all sporting competitions, and we accept the findings reached by the Sports Tribunal.”

Cam Mitchell, Athletics New Zealand chief executive, said: “Safety, fairness, and integrity are the foundations of our sport, and we support all efforts that help protect these values at every level of athletics.”