Former Comanchero bikie Damian Stavreas has been allowed to remain on bail after pleading guilty to multiple offences uncovered through Operation Ironside, including commercial drug trafficking and money laundering.
The 40-year-old, from Brooklyn Park in South Australia, appeared in the District Court on Thursday, where submissions were adjourned until later this month.
Stavreas was arrested as part of the AFP and FBI-led Operation Ironside investigation, which used encrypted AN0M devices to secretly monitor alleged organised crime activity before coordinated raids across 18 countries in June 2021.
Court documents previously alleged Stavreas trafficked large amounts of methamphetamine and laundered money over several months while participating in AN0M chat groups linked to Comanchero gang business.
Prosecutors said the chats largely involved “conflict with other gangs, inter gang gossip and the general movement of the (gang).”
In one alleged April 2021 message, Stavreas wrote: “I think we need to start bashing, finding and kicking people out that don’t start taking the s**t serious.”
The court also heard Stavreas allegedly volunteered for the role of Sergeant at Arms, messaging a club commander: “I’m ready to be sarge.”
Defence counsel Scott Henchliffe KC said Stavreas had distanced himself from the Comanchero after the June 2021 mass arrests and left the club during a meeting at an Angle Vale tavern.
The court heard he had planned to remove Comanchero-related tattoos, including one reading “Always Comanchero, Comanchero Always.”
Judge Ian Press said he had previously indicated it was highly likely Stavreas would be remanded in custody, but allowed him to remain on bail pending any further affidavits.
Source: The Advertiser.
