Revelle Balmain’s ex-boss arrested as police break-up alleged crime ring
Police have arrested the former boss of model-turned-prostitute Revelle Balmain on drug and theft charges and four other men with alleged links to a Serbian crime gang.
Police & Courts
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Police have arrested the former boss of model-turned-prostitute Revelle Balmain on drug and theft charges and four other men with alleged links to a Serbian crime gang as part of investigations into her 1994 disappearance.
Detectives launched a fresh search for answers several months ago as part of Strike Force Armanac, offering a $1 million reward which led them to receive new information about a potential person of interest.
Ms Balmain vanished aged 22 on November 5, 1994 in Kingsford with a coronial inquest half a decade later finding she was likely the victim of homicide. Her remains have never been located.
Just two days ago, police raided a hotel room and two other locations in Sydney’s east they believe she visited on the day she died.
Police on Thursday arrested five men - aged between 50 and 65 - allegedly involved a Serbian crime ring - over the sale of drugs and theft and resale of luxury goods. It’s not suggested any of the men had anything to do with Ms Balmain’s disappearance.
One of the men - Zoran Stanojevic, 63 - is the former owner of an escort agency where Ms Balmain worked.
He has been charged with dozens of offences including 26 counts of shoplifting, possessing stolen goods, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
Four other men - Tomislav Markovic, 59, from Randwick, was also arrested and charged with shoplifting and drug offences and being involved in a criminal group.
During the raids in Randwick, Maroubra and Surry Hills on Thursday, police seized more than $150,000 worth of luxury goods and uncovered a massive hydroponic cannabis set-up with more than 102 cannabis plants and 8kg dried cannabis worth more than $400,000.
An ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of suspected stolen luxury goods including designer handbags, clothing, shoes and watches, as well as high-end wine and spirits, was also seized.
Djordje Covid, 65, Randwick, Nebojsa Anicic, 65, from Randwick and Dejan Sakic, 50, from Matraville were arrested and charged with drug offences and being involved in a criminal group.
All five men were refused bail and are due to appear at Central Local Court on Friday.
The arrests come just two days after police raided a hotel room and two other locations in Sydney’s east where they believe she may have had appointments.
Investigations into Ms Balmain’s disappearance by the unsolved homicide unit continue, with the matter set to be referred to the NSW Coroner next year.
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