Greek Australian cafe owner receives five year jail sentence on MDMA importing charges

·

Peter Poulakis, 30, received a five year and nine month jail sentence on Friday after previously pleading guilty to anti-money laundering laws, drug importation, drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Poulakis owns three bustling coffee carts around Canberra, telling the court on Friday he ‘didn’t realise’ laundering money was a big deal.

Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson told Poulakis he had proven he could be a successful businessman “through legal means, not illegal means”, the Daily Telegraph reports.

“You must go to jail, that’s inevitable because of the seriousness of the offending,” she said.

Canberra cafe owner Peter Poulakis. Picture: Instagram/Supplied

“The offences you committed are serious and you know that, the court knows that, and your family and friends, who you are fortunate to have, know that.”

The Greek Australian business owner was involved in a larger drug importing scheme, led by prison inmate Emin Yavuz.

The courts have previously heard the harebrained scheme to import paint tins full of drugs came unstuck when a series of recorded phone calls to Yavuz in prison saw the syndicate members talking in code about their German supplier, “Mr Sock”.

Poulakis’s former partner, Jacinta Greenwood, and friend, Simon Daviestold, both told the court they were in shock when hearing about the charges, saying he was good boss who had loyal employees at his cafes.

Poulakis was motivated by financial greed, and it appeared the syndicate was looking to import larger amounts of the drug, Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said.

Poulakis will be eligible for parole in August 2023.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Compassion, community and purpose’ define the 2025 Jenny Souris Foundation Gala

The Jenny Souris Foundation Gala returned on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, with heart and purpose, drawing around 300 guests.

Thousands attend inaugural Brunswick Greek Festival

Thousands of people attended the Brunswick Greek Festival which was organised and run by the St Eleftherios Albion Street Brunswick parish.

St John’s church in Carlton hosts annual celebration for Patron Saint of police officers

The annual celebration of Saint Artemios’ feast day is one of the key events on the Victoria Hellenic Police Association (VHPA) calendar.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos strengthens ties in Adelaide visit

Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, is visiting Adelaide, South Australia.

Ex-Collingwood captain sues former manager Jason Sourasis for $3 million

Former Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has filed a $3 million lawsuit against his former manager and long-time friend Jason Sourasis.

You May Also Like

Popular Greek actor Kostas Voutsas passes aged 88

Popular Greek actor Kostas Voutsas passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88 after being in the Intensive Care Unit of the Attikon University Hospital in Athens.

South Melbourne FC unveils ‘Eras of Hellas’ mural at Lakeside Stadium

South Melbourne FC proudly unveiled the Eras of Hellas mural on Saturday in the Social Club at Lakeside Stadium.

George Kambosos Jr and Teofimo Lopez confirm they will go head-to-head on June 5

George Kambosos Jr and Teofimo Lopez will fight as expected on June 5 on a Triller Fight Club pay-per-view.