Moonee Valley Cr Jacob Bettio pleads not guilty at the Broadmeadows Court for alleged cocaine possession

A Moonee Valley councillor will plead not guilty to drugs charges after a raid of his home by a peak corruption body allegedly found cocaine and cannabis.

A Melbourne councillor, who had his home raided by corruption investigators, has pleaded not guilty to allegedly possessing drugs.

Moonee Valley councillor Jacob Bettio fronted Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Cr Bettio was one of three Moonee Valley councillors whose homes were the subject of search warrants as part of a probe by the state’s peak corruption body.

The investigation was predominantly into sports rorts, with the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission looking into relationships with a leading local soccer club.

The council covers suburbs including Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Airport West and Flemington.

Moonee Valley councillor Jacob Bettio leaves Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court after pleading not guilty to drug related charges. He was supported in court by family and friends.

The search of Cr Bettio’s Moonee Ponds property in August last year allegedly uncovered evidence of drug activity — namely a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.

On Tuesday, the 29-year-old councillor sat on the courtroom’s front row wearing a grey suit, supported by one woman and three men, believed to be his family.

Cr Jacob Bettio is due to appear in the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on possession charges. Picture: Instagram.

Defence lawyer Jon Ross told the court the matter would proceed as a contest mention.

Magistrate Peter Reardon extended the councillor’s bail.

Cr Bettio will return to court in August.

There has been no update on the IBAC investigation and no charges have been laid.

In September last year, the council released a statement saying it was aware of the investigation but that it would “not be appropriate for council to make further comment”.