Michael Anthony Langanis avoids jail for supplying cocaine to undercover cop

An Insta-famous barbershop owner has been given his “best shot” at rehabilitation, with a judge avoiding jailing him on a drug charge.

Michael Anthony Langanis leaves Brisbane District Court today. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

An Insta-famous barbershop owner has avoided jail after he supplied a bag of cocaine to an undercover police officer who came to his salon asking for drugs.

Michael Anthony Langanis, 26, owner of Langanis Barber, was visibly relieved and hugged his family outside the Brisbane District Court where he was sentenced to 12 months’ probation for supplying cocaine and other summary drug offences.

Langanis, who owns lucrative barber shops in Brisbane City, Teneriffe and West End, was targeted as part of a large-scale police operation Operation Sierra Gypsy.

As part of the operation an undercover cop went to his barbershop and told Langanis he was “having issues sourcing cocaine”.

Langanis told the officer he could organise a bag and asked another person to supply $350 of cocaine.

The lucrative businessman was initially facing more serious charges including drug trafficking but the court heard these were quickly dropped.

Defence lawyer Dan Rogers told the court Langanis, who had a dated and minor history of drug offending, had only facilitated the cocaine supply at the undercover officer’s request.

He said that despite the intense surveillance used during the investigation, Langanis had only been charged with one indictable offence.

Michael Anthony Langanis leaves Brisbane District Court today. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

“This was a six-month operation… and police were conducting all sorts of investigative techniques including listening to his phone for six months,” Mr Rogers said.

“And despite that there is one indictable offence of facilitating the supply of cocaine…”

Langanis also pleaded guilty to 13 summary offences including supplying his girlfriend with Xanax and possessing small amounts of cocaine, oxycontin tablets and four mobile phones.

Mr Rogers urged Judge Orazio Rinaudo not to record a conviction, saying that a conviction could jeopardise Langanis’ ability to travel and purchase hair products overseas.

He said the 22 hours Langanis had spent in police custody and the intense public shaming after his arrest had been “particularly brutal” and a sobering experience.

Judge Orazio Rinaudo said Langanis’ business achievements were remarkable – but he had put everything he had achieved at significant risk.

“You’ve put that all in jeopardy, you understand that,” Judge Rinaudo said.

“Not just put in jeopardy, but you do understand that you’ve had bankers that haven’t been forthcoming, you’ve been vilified in the press and you’ve had to move yourself out of the control of the business.”

He said he hoped probation would give Langanis the “best shot” at rehabilitation.

Langanis was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and no conviction was recorded.