Cardiologist Dr Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam charged in connection with Gold Coast cocaine bust

A Gold Coast cardiologist has been identified as the final of eight people - including a high-profile restaurateur couple - charged in connection with an alleged cocaine bust.

A Gold Coast cardiologist has been identified as the final person charged in connection with a cocaine bust.

Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam faces seven charges of supplying dangerous drugs, two of possessing dangerous drugs and one of possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Cardiologist Dr Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam. Picture: Gold Coast Private Hospital/Instagram

Police allege he supplied or possessed cocaine several times between May 7 and June 27, and supplied marijuana once months earlier.

He is also charged with supplying dangerous drugs and medicines or hazardous poisons in Rockhampton in July.

The 40-year-old appeared beside his lawyer when his case was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Cardiologist Dr Sameer Tatavarty (left) leaving the Southport courthouse. Picture: Jessica Paul

His case was adjourned to August 29 and will remain on bail.

Neither he nor his lawyer commented on the case outside of court.

There are no conditions on Dr Tatavarty’s general or specialist registrations, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

He is the last of the eight people charged in connection with a cocaine trafficking bust – in what police are calling Operation Victor Mosquito – to front court.

Officers carried out search warrants at properties across Broadbeach, Burleigh, and Surfers Paradise earlier this month, allegedly seizing large quantities of cocaine and cash and a BMW X5 among other items.

Mathew Ian Lalic, 35, Kirsty Wallbanks, 30, and Anthony James Hood, 60, now face several charges including trafficking, supplying and possessing cocaine.

Jesse Ward-Howard, 33, is charged with four counts of supplying dangerous drugs and two of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.

The home and Broadbeach venues of high-profile restaurateurs Steve and Autumn Adams were among those also visited by police during the operation.

Prominent restaurateurs Steve Adams ( following behind ) and Autumn Adams appeared at Southport court today for the first time since being charged with cocaine-related offences. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Adams was charged with possessing and supplying ­cocaine and Mrs Adams with possessing the same drug, with the couple fronting court for the first time last week.

Their remaining co-accused Clinton Andela, 61, faced court on Friday on charges including possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and possessing drug utensils.

All cases are due to return to court in the coming weeks.

Originally published as Cardiologist Dr Sameer Tatavarty Bharatam charged in connection with Gold Coast cocaine bust