Police seize drugs at Melbourne clubs
Police seized thousands of ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and cash in raids at two Melbourne dance clubs this month.
A task force found the drugs when it stormed Two Floors Up nightclub in the city’s CBD and Brunswick’s Railway Hotel. The raids were unrelated.
As a result, three men were charged with serious drug trafficking offenses.
Paul Polito, 37, the manager of the Railway Hotel, has been charged with trafficking ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine.
He appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court on video link.
Chris Lytras, 47, who police believe owns the hotel, appeared separately before a magistrate. He was on similar charges.
In addition to that, a Melbourne DJ, Jason Peter Kolbeck, 35, was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs after detectives allegedly found several thousand ecstasy pills as well as quantities of other drugs believed to be methamphetamine.
Kolbeck is believed to have an investment in Two Floors Up.
He is scheduled to appear in court on July 25.
Two Floors Up has a 7am liquor licence. It promotes itself as a " cornerstone in Melbourne's night clubbing scene". It is co-owned by Michael Cooke
Despite the raids, the drugs and the charges, the two clubs are allowed to continue trading with the three men charged involved in their management and operation.
Mr Kolbeck, is cashing in on the raids He has called an event he is promoting on April 17 "Jail House Rock".
The discovery of large quantities of drugs at Two Floors Up and the Railway Hotel is likely to raise questions about the licensing and regulation of Melbourne's late-night venues.
Mr Lytras has been banned by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation from holding a liquor license for ten-years following a number of breaches at another Brunswick hotel in 2005.
According to Fairfax Media, he disguised his involvement in the venue by registering an associate as the licensee with the VCGLR.
by Leon Gettler, April 22nd 2016
