Michael Spanos: Kingswood man pleads guilty to supplying cocaine hidden in cereal box

A drug runner, who was sprung by police halfway through a drug deal with three ounces of cocaine stuffed inside a cereal box, has admitted to a string of drug supply charges.

Michael Spanos leaves Penrith Local Court

A drug runner, who was sprung by police halfway through a drug deal with three ounces of cocaine stuffed inside a cereal box, has admitted to a string of drug supply charges.

Michael Spanos, 29 of Kingswood appeared in Penrith Local Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to supply and taking part in the supply of cocaine, three counts of driving while disqualified and one count of breaching court orders.

An eighth charge of participate in group criminal activity was withdrawn.

Agreed police facts tendered to the court state Spanos was implicated in a cocaine ring as a drug runner headed by another man alleged to be the principal offender. Two others, Gabrielle Schembri and Rory Simms also took part as drug runners.

On two separate occasions in March 2022 Spanos offloaded significant amounts of cocaine, 49g and 29g respectively, in which customers would pay $7500 in cash per ounce.

On March 29 police observed the alleged principal offender enter Spanos’ house holding a cereal box, the agreed facts state. Spanos soon emerged holding the same box and got into his car and drove off.

Police followed Spanos, who was on his way to meet a buyer after negotiating a deal to sell five ounces of cocaine for $40,000.

Spanos was in the midst of the transaction and had just handed 49.5g of cocaine to the buyer when police descended on the pair.

A subsequent search of the car uncovered a second bag of drugs hidden inside the cereal box spotted earlier, containing 90g of cocaine.

He was arrested and charged, and initially denied his involvement in supplying cocaine.

Spanos will return to court for sentencing on June 16.

Rory Simms was convicted of two counts of drug supply and sentenced on Friday to an intensive corrections order and 100 hours community service

Brandon Sardi has been charged with four counts of drug supply, three counts ofongoing drug supply, two counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and two counts of drugs possession. He is yet to enter any pleas.

Gabrielle Schembri has pleaded guilty to three counts of drug supply and will be sentenced at a later date.