An alleged high-ranking member of an outlaw motorcycle gang has been refused bail after federal agents claim they thwarted the Mount Keira man's plot to import one kilogram of cocaine into Australia from Greece following discussions on encrypted communications devices.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Accused Comanchero sergeant-at-arms Emmanuel Vamvoukakis, 40, applied for release in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday after he was arrested at his home on June 6 where officers allegedly seized $10,000 in cash, a money-counter and Comanchero OMCG colours.
The raid came after Australian Federal Police were involved in a complex, global operation that duped hundreds of the world's criminals into using a FBI-developed app, called ANoM, that instead fed their alleged plans to agents.
Australian Federal Police officers claim to have captured a series of messages between Vamvoukakis and an Australian associate living in Greece, between April 10 and June 6, in which the men allegedly conspired to import a kilogram of cocaine via the Australian postal system in olive oil tins.
Vamvoukakis was caught on camera as he allegedly paid for the drugs, dropping a brown paper bag containing $50,000 cash in the back of a waiting Toyota Camry at Newtown on May 3.
In court, Magistrate Gabriel Fleming did not release Vamvoukakis despite his limited criminal history and an offer of a $500,000 surety due to the "extremely serious nature" of the charges which include conspiracy to import a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, directing the activities of a criminal organisation and two charges relating to proceeds of crime.
Commonwealth police prosecutor April Ranson strongly opposed Vamvoukakis' release given his alleged "criminal associations" as the Comancheros' sergeant-at-arms of the South Coast chapter.
She submitted the prosecution case against him was strong as police had captured encrypted messages allegedly sent by Vamvoukakis and surveillance of him putting cash boot in the car.
Ms Ranson said he had allegedly participated in a chat group where a murder was openly discussed, adding he could have access to large amounts of cash to flee the country with the help of the "global reach" of the motorcycle gang.
Vamvoukakis' barrister Daniel McMahon acknowledged the charges against his client were "serious" but pointed to his limited criminal history which did not involve failing to appear at court.
He suggested the prosecution would be find it difficult to prove the person operating the device and sending the messages about the alleged importation of drugs under the username 'ice cube', was his client, despite police capturing photos of Vamvoukakis allegedly delivering $50,000 in exchange for the drugs.
Mr McMahon also said the prosecution case was weakened as the device was not found in Vamvoukakis' possession when arrested or during the search warrant.
Mr McMahon proposed bail conditions that included Vamvoukakis living with his parents, surrendering his passport, abiding by a curfew, restricting communications and that his mother was prepared to offer her home as security.
Magistrate Fleming took into account Vamvoukakis' limited criminal record, strong community ties and proposed bail conditions however said the nature of the charges were "extremely serious" and the prosecution case appeared strong.
She also noted Vamvoukakis could interfere with witnesses and was a possible flight risk given his alleged access to cash.
In documents tendered to court, National Anti-Gangs Squad began investigating Vamvoukakis' activities and those of his associates in April.
Police allege he was responsible for liaising with both onshore and offshore syndicate members to bring cocaine into Australia.
He allegedly attempted to recruit couriers, offering payment of $10,000 for them to collect a parcel after it had arrived in Australia.
Police allege a series of messages showed Vamvoukakis and his associate in Greece discussed the purchase of a brick of cocaine for $50,000.
Vamvoukakis allegedly suggested he would find an Australian address for the parcel to be delivered to, before offering to pay someone $10,000 to collect it.
On May 3 the associate allegedly instructed Vamvoukakis to place $50,000 in the boot of a black Toyota Camry that would be waiting on Walenore Avenue of Alice Street, in Newtown.
Police surveillance captured an unknown Asian woman and a man getting out of the car there about 1pm.
Police photographed Vamvoukakis then getting out off his black Audi RS7, holding a brown paper bag allegedly containing $50,000.
He allegedly placed the bag in the Camry's boot, before the woman and man returned to it and drove away.
In later messages, Vamvoukakis allegedly provided a delivery address in suburban Sanctuary Point.
The associate allegedly went on to provide images and instructions showing how he would extract the cocaine to its pure form, and plans to conceal it inside a 1.5 litre olive oil tin once the process was complete.
AFP agents arrested Vamvoukakis at his Mount Keira Road residence in a raid about 5am on June 6 before he was charged.
The case will return to court on August 12.
Read more court and crime stories.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Subscribe to our newsletters
