Married At First Sight Australia contestant Timothy Smith’s past was exposed on Tuesday night, revealing that the season 11 star had a history of drug smuggling and had served time in a US prison.

A Current Affair unveiled Timothy’s troubled past, shocking viewers with revelations about the 52-year-old real estate tycoon’s involvement in illegal activities that led to over a year of incarceration.

Living in Vancouver at the time, Timothy confessed to using a helicopter to transport large quantities of marijuana from Canada into the US. He admitted to being paid for flying lessons with the intention of trafficking drugs, a decision he deeply regrets.

“I was a helicopter pilot in North America that did something really stupid,” Timothy disclosed. “It’s something I’m not proud of. I’m definitely not proud of it, but it doesn’t define who I am, and I’m not the same person I was 17 years ago.”

Timothy revealed that he earned $100,000 per trip by flying a helicopter loaded with marijuana across the border, describing the operation’s logistics in detail.

However, his criminal activities came to an end when he was apprehended by law enforcement in Los Angeles upon his return from visiting his sick mother in Australia. Timothy was subsequently sentenced for trafficking marijuana over an international border in 2006, spending additional time in immigration detention.

The true toll of his incarceration hit Timothy hard when both his mother and younger brother passed away while he was in prison. His brother’s final words of encouragement were etched in his memory, but the devastating loss of his loved ones left him reeling.

Amid these tragedies, Timothy did not disclose his criminal past to producers when applying for Married At First Sight. His marriage to fan favorite Lucinda Light ended following a tumultuous homestay visit in Melbourne, and they mutually decided to part ways during the commitment ceremony.

Despite their breakup, Timothy and Lucinda maintained a close friendship, often seen together on social outings. Lucinda expressed her gratitude for their bond, emphasizing Timothy’s importance as a dear friend.

During the reunion episode, Timothy and Lucinda shared their ongoing connection, revealing that they had grown closer since leaving the show. Timothy credited Lucinda for helping him navigate his emotional struggles and expressed appreciation for the transformative experience of the experiment.