A father-of-four who allegedly sold large quantities of drugs and is suspected of having ties to the Hells Angels has been refused bail.
John Balatsos fronted court in Sydney last week on five drug-related charges, including supplying illicit substances on an ongoing basis, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The mechanical engineer from Mt Warrigal allegedly sold cocaine to undercover detectives on two separate occasions as part of Woolongong drug unit’s Strike Force Nunki.
Father-of-four, John Balatsos (pictured), who allegedly sold large quantities of drugs and is suspected of having ties to the Hells Angels, has been refused bail
The court heard he allegedly sold $300 worth of cocaine to an officer on February 24, and again on March 2, then a third batch to a known person on March 21.
The amounts collected by detectives were tested and found to be of about 55 per cent purity, the court heard.
He was allegedly recorded selling cocaine through PEPE’s on the Beach in North Wollongong twice in less than 10 days.
Balatsos was arrested last Thursday and remanded in custody to face court the following day where he was refused bail because the judge said he held serious concern about potential bikie links.
Despite his lawyer arguing there was little tying him to organised crime figures, Magistrate Follent argued the case against him was serious.
‘These offences before me are serious and they are prevalent in the community,’ she said.
The amounts collected by detectives were tested and found to be of about 55 per cent purity, the court heard (stock photo)
‘A custodial sentence is likely if he is ultimately convicted.’
His case is set to return to court in June.
He was the second person to be arrested as part of Strike Force Nunki in a week, which was established in February to crack down on the sale of drugs in the region.
Illawarra soccer player Klaus Rauker was arrested early last week charged with seven drug supply offences for allegedly supplying MDMA to undercover operatives between March 17 and April 12.
Rauker’s case will also return to court next month.
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