Putu ‘Gino’ Pacino, barber shop owner admits to drug dealing offences

A man who described himself online as Adelaide’s “sexiest criminal” has come clean about his coke habit – but asked to be spared jail for a surprising reason.

A man who described himself online as Adelaide’s “sexiest criminal” has asked a judge to spare him jail as he was “hardly a man” at the time he sold cocaine – and young people don’t think drug users are criminals.

On Monday, Putu “Gino” Pacino appeared in the District Court where his lawyer, Martin Anders, told Judge Anthony Allen that while his dealing was not isolated, and serious offending, his client was only 19 at the time of the offences.

Putu ‘Gino’ Pacino, of two northern suburbs barber shops, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“He’s only 19 at the time of the commission of this offence … it never hurts to remind ourselves of that circumstance of youth, being a teenager,” Mr Anders said.

“When we are young and immature, we are prone to ill-considered or rash decisions … when living at home at age 19, you’re hardly a man.

“You’ve hardly, truly experienced life and truly seen the adverse consequences of poor decisions, and this was an entirely poor decision.”

Mr Anders said that a modern factor in the case included that young people “rather foolishly” think that “not everyone that uses drugs is a criminal or morally compromised”.

“They rather foolishly think that that’s a path that they may enter upon without serious adverse consequences,” Mr Anders said.

Some of Pacino’s online videos showed him with large stacks of cash in large denomination notes. Picture: TikTok

Pacino described himself as the “sexiest criminal” on one of his public TikTok videos. Picture: TikTok

The court heard Pacino had begun using drugs socially, and his “pursuit overtook him” resulting in debts.

Mr Anders said Pacino involved himself in “small scale” trading with people “close to him” to pay for his own drugs.

Pacino, now 22, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a controlled drug.

He was arrested and charged after police searched his Gawler South home and located more than 20 grams of cocaine – ten times the trafficable amount – and $21700 in cash inside a locked safe.

The cocaine was packaged in six “8-ball” quantities, which had a sale value of approximately $6400.

Putu Gino Pacino with a pile of cash. Picture: TikTok

The court heard Pacino is the owner of two barber shops in the northern suburbs that currently employ eight people.

It is understood Mr Pacino, of Gawler South, purchased Gawler’s Lagers and Barbers from its previous owners.

The barber shop was rebranded to Dimentico Barber Lounge, which sells clothing by Dimentico Streetwear – a clothing brand also owned by Mr Pacino.

The brand expanded to a second site in Parafield in 2024.

It is not suggested that the shops or its employees are in any way connected with the offending.

Mr Anders said his client has supports in the community and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

Prosecutors did not object to any term of imprisonment being suspended, as Pacino’s personal circumstances did “warrant some sympathy”.

Judge Anthony Allen remanded him on continuing custody until his sentencing in June.