Nicholas Nikopoulos: Tasers, drugs allegedly found in Henry St, Reservoir house
A Reservoir man who has allegedly been dealing large quantities of drugs and has been caught with tasers and other weapons, had a rather unique excuse for his alleged offending.
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A Reservoir man who has allegedly been dealing large amounts of cocaine, ice and ecstasy told police drugs aren’t harmful and “will be legal in a few years anyway”.
Tasers, an extendable baton, firecrackers, more than 90g of cocaine, more than 40g of ice and almost 80g MDMA were allegedly found in Nicholas Nikopoulos’ possession, with police having raided his home repeatedly in recent months.
The 48-year-old fronted Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 18, to apply for bail, with police arguing only jail could stop him from alleged drug dealing.
Nikopoulos was already on bail for drug dealing charges when he allegedly fled out the back of his Henry St, Reservoir home after police arrived to search it on August 5.
Officers then allegedly uncovered two tasers, four firecrackers, $8940 cash, about 53g of cocaine, 40g of meth, 19g of MDMA, prescription medication and a range of IDs and bank cards in other names in the house.
Police allegedly already found more than 60g of MDMA, 10g cocaine, cannabis, ice and prescription tablets when they raided it on May 17, having arrested Nikopoulos in a car in the St Kilda McDonalds carpark the night before.
In the car with him, Nikopoulos allegedly had a metal extendable baton, $4555 cash, 28.9g cocaine, 8g of MDMA, meth and two phones, which contained messages about drug deals.
Senior Constable Susan Lehman said Nikopoulos had told police he made dart boards for work, but also sold drugs “to make ends meet”.
She said he told police he believed drugs weren’t harmful and that mental health issues caused violence and crime, not drugs.
“Drugs will be legal in a few years anyway,” Nikpoulos allegedly told her.
Senior Constable Lehman said police believed no conditions would stop Nikopoulos from returning to drug use and dealing if he was released on bail, saying his behaviour was escalating.
Lawyer Penny Marcou said Nikopoulos, who had never been in jail before, risked spending too long on remand waiting to contest the charges due to delays imposed by COVID-19
She proposed Nikopoulos be bailed to live with a Hillside friend, who was offering $20,000 surety to the court, and that he be ordered to attend medical and psychological appointments.
Magistrate Denise Livingstone said it was “no wonder” the police were concerned about Nikopoulos, but agreed he could spend too long waiting in custody.
She bailed him with strict conditions, including weekly drug screens, and a ban on him going more than 2km from the Hillside house unless for medical appointments.
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