Son of ex senior cop fights steroid, sex drug importation charges
The former cop son of one of the state’s most senior police officers has been arrested for allegedly importing large amounts of illegal bodybuilding and erectile dysfunction drugs.
The former cop son of one of the state’s most senior police officers has been arrested for allegedly importing large amounts of illegal bodybuilding and erectile dysfunction drugs.
Daniel Katsogiannis, whose father is recently retired and award-winning Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, began a short-lived career as a cop himself in 2013.
But now he’s found himself on the wrong side of the law after being accused of importing more than 100 boxes of Yohimbine — a banned aphrodisiac supplement known overseas as the ‘orgasm drug’ which claims to treat impotence and boost weight loss.
The prescription-only substance is an ingredient in Semenax capsules which claim to boost semen production while it is also used by veterinarians to reverse sedation in dogs.
Police allege the 31-year-old imported 200 vials of white powder said to contain human growth hormone, as well as DMMA — a stimulant found in many pre-workout products — and anabolic steroid DHEA last July.
In November Katsogiannis also allegedly smuggled Russian anti-anxiety drug Phenibut to Australia, which is listed as a prohibited substance by the Therapeutic Goods Administration,, and 20 kilograms of powder believed to be jet lag drug Melatonin.
Katsogiannis fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday wearing a flashy gold watch and a matching gold cross necklace.
He pleaded not guilty to three counts of import prohibited imports and three counts of intentionally import prohibited tier one goods without approval.
The Australian Border Force says between June and November last year investigators intercepted six consignments suspected to contain performance and image enhancing drugs before raiding a Wattle Grove home in August and December.
“Officers seized a large quantity of boxed and separate vials of anabolic and or androgenic substances suspected of being part of the importation and domestic supply of steroids,” the ABF said in a statement.
The Wattle Grove man, who has previously been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, was arrested four days after his father retired last month.
Veteran officer Arthur Katsogiannis hung up his holster after 38 years in the force having earned the Australian Police Medal and a raft of other accolades.
The one-time champion bodybuilder and accountant headed up the NSW gangs, firearms and cybercrime squads during his tenure.
Daniel’s August 2013 swearing in marked the third generation of the Katsogiannis family to serve, with his grandfather working as a policeman in Greece before migrating to Australia.
But he left in early 2014 and now owns Flex Nutrition Depot, a Beverly Hills-based supplements store launched in 2015 which also provides diet and training plans.
“I strive to be able to assist everyone who is in search of a more active, fit and healthy lifestyle,” Daniel Katsogiannis wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
In May 2017 he had nine drug possession charges, one supply charge and one importation charge dismissed on mental health grounds and was ordered to follow a psychologist treatment plan for two years.
Under his current bail conditions, Katsogiannis must report to Liverpool police station four times per week, surrender his passport and stay away from international airports.
His matter was adjourned to March 12.
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