Markas Salkanovic — nephew of property tycoon George Polites — avoids jail in drugs import case

The nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites has avoided jail for his “canny” attempt to import more than 1.3kg of pseudoephedrine — a precursor for making methylamphetamine.

The nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites has avoided jail for his “canny” attempt to import more than 1.3kg of pseudoephedrine — a precursor for making methylamphetamine.

Markas Salkanovic — who was “cut-off” from his wealthy family following his arrest in 2015 — was found guilty in the District Court of attempting to import a tier 1 good.

In sentencing, Judge Sydney Tilmouth said Salkanovic, 49, had arranged for a female friend to sign for the package, which was addressed to another woman at an empty Glandore unit neighbouring his.

“The jury verdict means that you instructed (the female friend) to take delivery of the box containing pseudoephedrine and you knew it contained a tier 1 good of some kind, in considerable quantity,” he said.

He said Salkanovic’s mother, Helen Polites, owns the unit where he lives and there were “outstanding estate issues of some complexity to resolve before your personal circumstances become more financially secure”.

Markas Salkanovic, the nephew of Adelaide property tycoon George Polites, was released from a two-and-a-half-year jail term .

“You are in fact diagnosed with a chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood as a result of what is described as ‘a bitter family feud’.”

“Your mother is likely to grow increasingly dependent on you and you are doing your best to deal with quite a difficult family feud.”

The court has previously heard Salkanovic “had a very good relationship” with Mr Polites until his arrest in 2015.

His lawyer had told the court Salkanovic was then “effectively cut off from the family by the uncle and things really deteriorated between the two of them and it got quite nasty”.

It had heard “the upshot of the situation” was that as his mother’s sole heir he may “eventually have her share of the family business willed to him once she passes”.

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 — outside the home of George Polites.

At the time police said there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

Judge Tilmouth said Salkanovic who had held various roles in the family business, now works in hospitality.

He said the pseudoephedrine was “likely destined for use un manufacturing the harmful and addictive drug methylamphetamine” and worth between $34,000 and $143,000.

“You played a not insignificant and canny role in facilitating the delivery of the parcel, whilst keeping yourself at arms-length, no doubt to avoid detection,” he said.

“You must have stood to gain something of a not insubstantial value for playing your part given the risk involved, even if the court is unable to make a conclusive finding as to exactly what it was.”

Judge Tilmouth released Salkanovic forthwith from a two-and-a-half-year jail term on condition of a two-year good behaviour bond.