Pro Melbourne bodybuilder/personal trainer Kelly Sammut arrested after steroid racket probe

A Melbourne personal trainer and pro bodybuilder who competes in the international big leagues was pinched after a roid racket investigation.

Kelly Sammut pleaded guilty to possessing a schedule 4 poison. Picture: Facebook.

A professional Melbourne bodybuilder who competes on the international stage has been swept up in a major steroid trafficking investigation.

Kelly Sammut pleaded guilty at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to possess a schedule 4 poison.

Sammut, a professional competition bodybuilder, was nabbed after police seized hyaluronic acid at her Flemington unit on December 8.

Sammut, who had a more serious charge of possess an anabolic steroid withdrawn, was not present during the raid but handed herself into police on December 18.

The 32-year-old told police the unit was owned by suspected steroid trafficker and bodybuilder Nathan Williamson who was the subject of a major police investigation.

Sammut told police she used the hyaluronic acid to “rub on muscles prior to training to increase blood flow”.

Sammut moved from the Flemington unit she had shared with Williamson while the pair were in a relationship, the court was told.

The defence submitted Sammut also made between $2500 and $3000 per week as a “well sort after” personal trainer.

Sammut begged to avoid a conviction so she could compete in “highly lucrative” International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) events held in the US.

Sammut competes as an international bodybuilder.

The court heard Sammut first competed at IFBB level in May last year, where she finished 12th in her division at the prestigious New York Pro.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson warned Sammut this was her last chance to avoid a conviction.

“(Using schedule 4 poisons) in your industry, if it's a competitive industry, can also simply be cheating …,” Ms Hodgson said.

“This substance is still in that category of performance enhancing … it’s a serious offence …

“Bodybuilding can be a very rewarding and lucrative career but it’s one that has lots of obligations and responsibilities …

“Understandably it’s a very competitive industry and perhaps people in that industry do resort to inappropriate medications and performance enhancing substances …

“It’s prohibited for very compelling reasons … you were (also) obviously a well sort after personal trainer this cannot help your brand …

“You should be aware that (US officials) will be more concerned with the finding of guilt against you (rather than conviction) and one would’ve thought that you will receive the censure of your peers in the bodybuilding industry …”

Sammut is also a Melbourne personal trainer.

The court heard Sammut, who had priors for drug and steroid possession, was charged following a police probe into Williamson and bodybuilder Daniel Tenace.

Investigators targeted Williamson who was allegedly involved in a large illicit steroid trafficking racket.

Police allegedly seized millions of dollars worth of steroids and medicine and more than $300,000 in cash at various addresses including a Docklands apartment and a Port Melbourne gym.

Police alleged Williamson and Tenace, who both work as personal trainers, bought drugs from overseas suppliers and resold locally.

It’s alleged Williamson and Tenace sold drugs online, through a gym and moved illicit substances to undercover cops.

Williamson and Tenace were later charged with multiple offences including trafficking a commercial quantity of prescription medication, trafficking anabolic steroids, trafficking diazepam and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

Police, at the time, said it was the largest bust of its kind in Victoria and the men’s many alleged customers included organised crime figures.

Bodybuilder Nathan Williamson was arrested on steroid trafficking charges.

The investigation had been running for seven months and involved cross-agency information sharing with the AFP.

The suspected syndicate also allegedly also moved steroids into the ACT and NSW.

Investigators also allegedly seized about $100,000 worth of steroids from inside a “sophisticated drug distribution centre”

Northwest metro regional crime squad detective inspector Patrick Watkinson highlighted the significance of the haul after a seven-month investigation.

“These steroids have been used beyond just the gym environment and that’s what grabbed our attention,” Inspector Watkinson said in December.

“This type of drug investigation is currently the largest of its type in Victoria and has been for some time.

“(Police) were drawn to this type of investigation because of the connections with organised crime entities not only in Victoria but across the eastern board.

Belinda Gailey

He said police had sought to “limit the networks” of the organised crime groups involved, with a Port Melbourne gym among the locations searched.

“One address was a gym which had a large amount of steroids in there.

“You may be sitting in there thinking this is purely just steroids and not a big impact on the community but we’re looking at the bigger picture here that the drugs are being used to facilitate criminal entities’ lifestyles.

“We’re also looking at a large profit made from the sale of these drugs.”

Williamson’s current partner Belinda Gailey was also arrested during the raids.

Gailey, a former real estate agent, avoided a conviction and was granted diversion in July over a drug possession.

Williamson and Tenace will front court at a later date.

Sammut was fined $300 without conviction.