Property tycoon George Polites’ nephew Markas Salkanovic “cut off” after arrest, court hears

The nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites was “cut-off” from his wealthy family following his arrest over drug importation charges, a court has heard.

Markas Salkanovic, the nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites.

The nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites was “cut-off” from his wealthy family following his arrest over drug importation charges, a court has heard.

Markas Salkanovic, 48, of Glandore appeared in the District Court on Tuesday for a pre-sentence hearing after he was earlier this year found guilty of one count of attempting to import a tier one good.

Prosecutors said he received a package the court has previously heard contained more than 2kg of pseudoephedrine, which can be used to produce amphetamines.

Salkanovic had organised for the package to be signed for by someone else.

Justin Wickens, for Salkanovic, said his client “had a very good relationship” with Mr Polites before his 2015 arrest.

“He was effectively cut off from the family by the uncle and things really deteriorated between the two of them and it got quite nasty,” he said.

He said the deterioration of the relationship “has never repaired itself” and he still receives a payment from his mother, Helen Polities, through her payment from the family’s trust.

The court heard Salkanovic suffered severe depression and an adjustment disorder resulting from the “ongoing family feud”.

In 2016, the gravesite of Salkanovic’s grandfather Con Polites was desecrated and on the same day a fresh animal liver was left inside a white container — with a red ribbon on top, a candle and note — was left outside the home of George Polites.

Police at the time said there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

Salkanovic will be sentenced later this month.