Bourke St killer’s brother Angelo Gargasoulas denied bail over drug trafficking allegations

The little brother of Bourke St killer — who allegedly ran a drug trafficking racket via Uber — has asked for bail to live with a Grindr match-turned-mate after “being targeted” by inmates.

Angelo Gargasoulas has had a second bail application denied as he faces drug trafficking allegations. Picture: Sarah Matray

The second bail bid for Bourke St killer James Gargasoulas’s little brother, who was allegedly using Uber to run a GHB racket, has been denied.

Angelo Gargasoulas, 33, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 18 in a part-heard bail application, after he was arrested and charged during a police sting on his Carlton home in August last year.

The court heard a search warrant on a Southbank address uncovered Mr Gargasoulas’s alleged involvement in a major trafficking operation, where co-accused Simon Simoudis told cops he allegedly delivered a box of 1,4 butanediol to the Southbank apartment in July 2024.

In a police raid on Mr Gargasoulas’s home six weeks later, 10kg of 1,4 butanediol was allegedly seized, hidden in bottles disguised as aloe vera.

Mr Gargasoulas launched the bail bid on March 11, during which the court heard his plea to be released back into the community to live with friend Mohammad Che-Azuha, who he met on the gay dating app Grindr.

Mr Gargasoulas’ bail application was denied on Tuesday, leaving him on remand for the alleged offending. Picture: Sarah Matray

The pair — who have known each other for eight years — said they planned to live at Mr Gargasoulas’ Carlton address.

Mr Che-Azuha promised the court he would immediately notify police if Mr Gargasoulas broke any of his bail conditions.

On Tuesday, Mr Gargasoulas’s lawyer Thibaut Clamart argued for his client’s release, noting Mr Che-Azuha’s promise alongside a $5000 guarantee offered to the court by Mr Gargasoulas’s father Christos.

The court heard Mr Gargasoulas had become a target for other inmates in custody due to his relationship with his brother James Gargasoulas — the Bourke St killer — and for his sexuality.

Mr Gargasoulas said he had been “targeted” by other prisoners during his time in custody. Picture: Sarah Matray

“He is vulnerable in custody and endures ridicule and threats,” Mr Clamart said.

Magistrate Nahrain Warda said the alleged offending was “remarkably serious”.

“These are serious allegations of trafficking a quantity almost five times over the commercial quantity of drugs,” she said.

Ms Warda denied the bail application, ordering Mr Gargasoulas to remain on remand.

Mr Gargasoulas was first denied bail in December last year, after trying to be released to a Prahran address, where convicted sex offender John Buckley presided.

Mr Gargasoulas will return to face the trafficking allegations on a later date.