Emmanuel Vamvoukakis: AFP raids accused bikie’s home over alleged cocaine importation attempt

An allegedly high-ranking Comanchero bikie at the centre of a major weekend raid has been charged over an alleged plot to import cocaine from Greece.

An alleged high-ranking Comanchero bikie has been arrested after the National Anti Gangs Squad allegedly busted him trying to import cocaine from Greece.

Police swooped on Emmanuel Vamvoukakis, 40, in a major operation at Mt Keira on Sunday, after police allege he attempted to import cocaine into Australia via an offshore Greece.

Mr Vamvoukakis — who police say is the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Comanchero South Coast chapter — was charged with four offences including: Import marketable quantity of border controlled drug; deal with proceeds of crime; direct activities to aid or risk aiding a criminal organisation and; intend as instrument of crime money or property worth $50,000 or more.

The 40-year-old faced Wollongong Local Court on Monday, where he chose not to apply for bail, with his lawyer indicating they would make an application for his release next week.

Police will allege Mr Vamvoukakis paid an associate in Greece $50,000 for 1kg of cocaine, which would be delivered in aluminium tins to a Sanctuary Point home. It’s also alleged he tried to recruit other people to take the “parcel” after it had arrived in the country in exchange for $10,000.

AFP officers, along with NSW police raided Mr Vamvoukakis’s home on June 6. Picture: Generic/ Lillian Watkins

Detectives recorded messages which were allegedly between Mr Vamvoukakis and his Greek associate, who agreed on April 11, to send a “brick”- or one kilo- of cocaine to Australia at a price of $50,000.

In police documents tendered to the court, it’s alleged Mr Vamvoukakis and his Greek associate discussed where the drugs should be sent to.

Police allege Mr Vamvoukakis suggested the package be sent to a home being renovated, so the workers could “sign off on it”. However, his associate disagreed, saying it needed to be addressed to a specific, and real person.

After days of discussion, police allege the pair agreed on a drop off point for the $50,000 cocaine payment, with the Greek associate directing Mr Vamvoukakis to Walenore Ave Newtown.

Police allege detectives watched as Mr Vamvoukakis allegedly dropped the cash, which was wrapped in a brown paper bag, in the boot of the car on May 4.

Following the cash drop off, police allege in the documents Mr Vamvoukakis messaged his Greek contact, giving him a Sanctuary Point delivery address.

Over the next several days, Mr Vamvoukakis allegedly complained to the Greek man that he was taking too long and that “organising a deal shouldn’t be this hard,” court documents state.

However, messages obtained by police allegedly showed the associate reassuring Mr Vamvoukakis, sending him photos of the cocaine and the distillation process he was undertaking to purify the cocaine.

Early on the morning of June 6, the AFP raided Mr Vamvoukakis’ Mt Keira Road home, allegedly finding $10,000 cash, a money counter and Comanchero OMCG colours.

The Sergeant at Arms will remain in custody on remand until he appears before the court next week.