Ironside accused Damian Stavreas allegedly linked to Comanchero Sergeant at Arms coup plot

Alleged senior members of the Comanchero plotted to overthrow the most senior enforcer in the gang and install a new sergeant at arms, AN0M messages reveal.

Alleged senior members of the Comanchero plotted to oust the sergeant at arms of the club – putting themselves at odds with the gang’s chief enforcer, AN0M messages reveal.

During a bail hearing in the District Court, prosecutors alleged Damian Stavreas was one of two contenders for the Sgt at Arms rank in the club.

Mr Stavreas has pleaded not guilty to 35 drug trafficking and money laundering charges after being arrested as part of Operation Ironside.

He is alleged to have trafficked around 8kg of methamphetamine and laundered more than $600,000 over the space of several months, all while he was on parole for drug and firearms offending.

A prosecutor told Chief Judge Michael Evans that they were opposed to Mr Stavreas being released on any kind of bail because of the seriousness of the charges he was facing.

Mr Stavreas has a Comanchero tattoo across his back and ACCA – short for Always Comanchero, Comanchero Always, tattooed down his side.

Damian Stavreas has been arrested as part of Operation Ironside and charged with 35 drug and money laundering offences. Picture: Facebook

The court heard that messages retrieved from an AN0M phone allegedly tied to Mr Stavreas indicated he was an active member in the club following his release on parole in 2020.

Mr Stavreas is alleged to have been a part of the three AN0M chatgroups dedicated to Comanchero business.

“The majority of the content was conflict with other gangs, inter gang gossip and the general movement of the (gang),” the prosecutor said.

On April 10, 2021, Mr Stavreas is alleged to have said in a message “I think we need to start bashing, finding and kicking people out that don’t start taking the s**t serious”.

In May and June of 2021 – only weeks before the AN0M app was shut down by the FBI and AFP – attempts were made to remove the then Sergeant at Arms.

AN0M messages allegedly showed Mr Stavreas and a second man, whose name is currently suppressed, nominated themselves for the role.

Mr Stavreas is alleged to have messaged the then commander of the club to say “I’m ready to be sarge”.

Scott Henchliffe KC, for Mr Stavreas, said his client had distanced himself from the Comanchero since the mass arrests in June 2021.

Mr Stavreas was not arrested until April 2022 – by which time Mr Henchliffe said he had left the club.

Mr Stavreas was arrested and charged in August 2021 at a tavern in Angle Vale where he was present with other members of the Comanchero. Mr Henchliffe said it was at that meeting that Mr Stavreas left the club.

The court heard Mr Stavreas was going to get his tattoos removed.

“At the time he thought it was a good thing, he now thinks it wasn’t a good thing to do and is left with the difficult process of removal,” Mr Henchliffe said.

Chief Judge Evans released Stavreas on strict home detention bail. He will still need to satisfy the Parole Board that he should be released into the community.