ALLEGED: BRO’ LINKED ACCUSED TO DRUG RING
A Gold Coaster charged with trafficking drugs as part of a 32person ring in connection with the Comancheros was allegedly dragged into it by his girlfriend’s brother, a court has heard.
It is among shock new allegations to emerge after five Gold Coast men were charged with trafficking drugs in connection with the Comancheros bikie gang.
Jordan Leigh Meyer, Marko Slomovic, Meik Zoran Filipovic, and Luca Edward Burness were all charged with drug trafficking through serious organised crime and other offences earlier this month.
Police allege the group were trafficking cocaine, MDMA, meth, and marijuana in connection with the Comancheros OMCG between February 1, 2022 and March 1 this year.
A fifth co-accused, Alexander John Hart, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in relation to the same allegations.
It is alleged Hart and Slomovic also trafficked guns within the same period.
New details of the alleged drug ring were aired when Filipovic applied for bail in Southport Magistrates Court.
The 24-year-old was visibly emotional upon spotting his family in the courtroom gallery, and blew a kiss towards his supporters.
Prosecutor Sammi Dutschke told the court police allegedly found 158g of cocaine and 4.5kg of marijuana alongside drug paraphernalia and more than $200,000 in cash when they raided Filipovic’s Coomera home.
Ms Dutschke said encrypted text messages allegedly showed Filipovic was involved in the drug ring for at least 12 months.
It was heard Filipovic was previously convicted of supplying marijuana.
The contention that my client has personal links to outlaw motorcycle gangs is simply not backed up on any of the evidence whatsoever David Gilmore
Meik Zoran Filipovic’s defence lawyer
The court was told Filipovic was allegedly drawn into the 32-person trafficking ring by Slomovic, whose sister was in a long-term relationship and lived with Filipovic.
Ms Dutschke said Slomovic allegedly sourced “large amounts of drugs”, from which Filipovic would distribute to his own network.
There was evidence within the encrypted messages that suggested Filipovic was allegedly closely involved in day-today operations, and had at one point involved a close family member in his dealings, Ms Dutschke said.
Filipovic’s defence lawyer David Gilmore said it was alleged his client reported to Slomovic, who along with Meyer was among the operation’s higher-ranking members.
“He is not Mr Slomovic or Mr Meyer … they may have had associations with other gangs and with other goods, (but) my client is lower in the chain than (them) and does not have those associations himself,” Mr Gilmore said.
“The contention that my client has personal links to outlaw motorcycle gangs is simply not backed up on any of the evidence whatsoever.”
Mr Gilmore said his client was born in Germany but had lived in Australia since 2001 and had strong ties to the community. His stepbrother was willing to pay a $100,000 surety to ensure his release.
Magistrate Janice Crawford granted Filipovic bail with several strict conditions.
Filipovic is so far the only of his co-accused to be released from custody.
Both Meyer and Hart have previously applied for bail, but were refused due to the nature of the allegations and potential risk of interfering with witnesses or further investigation.
It was heard in those previous proceedings that Meyer was allegedly involved in the drug ring’s daily operations, including facilitating the supply of multi-kilo quantities of drugs.
His defence lawyer Jason Grant told the court during his client’s bail application that there was no evidence directly linking Meyer to the alleged operation, including no drugs or related paraphernalia being found at his home when it was searched by police.
The court was told during Hart’s bail application that the 25-year-old was allegedly a “downline supplier”, with
police claiming he supplied 250g of cocaine at a time and reported directly to Slomovic.
Ms Dutschke said it was alleged the group discussed committing violent acts in order to collect payments, and talked about the syndicate taking possession of about 20kg of cocaine.
Police allegedly found about 8g of cocaine, three mobile phones, a grinder, and evidence of tick sheets when they raided Hart’s Ashmore home before his arrest.
The court was told Hart had no criminal history and there was no evidence he would flee or reoffend if released on bail.
All five men’s matters are expected to return to court in the coming weeks. Each of the coaccused – excluding Filipovic – was remanded in custody until their next court dates.