Wayne Geokjian: Former cocaine smuggler pleads not guilty to handgun charges
A former cocaine smuggler has denied possession of a semiautomatic pistol, knuckle dusters and drugs after police raided two Sydney businesses. See what happened in court.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former cocaine smuggler has appeared in a Sydney court to plead not guilty to a string of charges related to a semiautomatic handgun.
Wayne Geokjian, 60, of St Leonards, was arrested by North Shore detectives after businesses were raided by heavily armed police in September last year.
Officers stormed two premises on the Lower North Shore to serve Mr Geokjian with a Firearm Prohibition Order, Manly Local Court has heard.
Mr Geokjian was subsequently charged with one count of possess an unauthorised pistol.
The handgun was described in court papers as a “Remington 1911” semiautomatic pistol.
Mr Geokjian was also charged with possessing an unregistered firearm; possess ammunition without a permit; not keep a firearm safely and; possess a prohibited weapon, described as knuckle dusters in court papers.
He was also charged with two counts of possessing prohibited drugs — 7g of cocaine and 8g of cannabis.
Mr Geokjian has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In police bail documents tendered to court, he was described as being “well known to police” and that “police believe he has links to organised crime networks”.
The document also stated that he had been previously jailed for supplying a prohibited drug and importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Mr Geokjian was excused from appearing on Wednesday but the court was told that the hearing would take about four hours and that six police officers would be required in court.
Magistrate Ian Guy Denes adjourned the matter for hearing in Manly Local Court on June 22.
Aussie quartet make sailing history with win in women’s America’s Cup
For the first time in 174 years Australian women have set sail in an America’s Cup. How the quartet on Andoo Australia are faring as the Pool B Racing begins.
Future Olympians! Try-fectas, close calls in Next Gen 7s battles
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.