James Masselos: Real estate agent’s shame after cocaine possession charge

A commercial real estate agent who bought ‘coke’ and ‘MDMA’ off a taxi driver outside an eastern suburbs bowling club has avoided a conviction in court.

James Masselos fronted Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

An eastern suburbs “property executive” caught buying drugs from a taxi driver outside a bowling club has escaped a conviction, a court has heard.

Rose Bay’s James Masselos, 26, faced Waverley Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two counts of drug possession.

Agreed facts reveal Masselos – who was supported in court by his partner – had been working as a commercial real estate agent for Knight Frank.

On December 17 police were conducting undercover patrols outside Bondi Bowling Club when they spotted Masselos enter a ‘GM cabs’ taxi just after 4pm.

The taxi was seen driving on Warners Ave before doing a U-turn and dropping the 26-year-old off at the same spot outside the front of the bowling club.

James Masselos received an 18 month conditional release order in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

Police believed a “drug transaction” took place and stopped Masselos with officers attempting to pull his hands out of his pockets “in order to stop the destruction of any evidence”.

Officers found a tissue and a small clear resealable bag containing 0.6g of white powder which fell out of his pocket.

Masselos was quick to apologise, telling police he had bought “one bag” from the taxi driver.

He was subsequently arrested and subjected to a search, where a capsule of ecstasy – weighing 0.5g, was also found. The 26-year-old told police it was “MDMA” and he had also bought it from the taxi driver.

Masselos told officers he had purchased the drugs for $300 and showed police messages on his phone, relating to the drug purchase.

On Wednesday, Masselos’ lawyer Mr Walker told the court his client was “very compliant” with officers and had demonstrated remorse and contrition.

Waverley Court House. Picture by Damian Shaw

Mr Walker said his client was unlikely to reoffend and asked for no conviction to be recorded.

While accepting the apology was “genuine”, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said it was “easier after the event to feel sorry”, and questioned why Masselos didn’t think about the ramifications before purchasing the drugs.

“You’re obviously someone who is smart … well educated,” she said.

“I am asking you, why didn‘t you think about that (before)? … you probably thought you were bulletproof.

“The fact that you are exposing yourself to criminal activity [with a] real likelihood there could be a conviction … why didn’t you think of that?”

Despite berating the 26-year-old, Magistrate Milledge placed Masselos on an 18-month conditional release order without conviction.