Police reveal slain horse trainer Les Samba owed crime gang $200,000

TRAINER Les Samba owed $200,000 to an international organised crime gang believed to have ordered his murder.

COPY PICTURE. Victoria Samba, daughter of slain horse trainer Les Samba talks of her father and how she is still struggling to come to terms with his loss. Victoria's daughter Hilary, 4, and her recent engagement helps keep her happy. Victoria with dad Les at the races. Picture: Craig Borrow

TRAINER Les Samba owed $200,000 to an international organised crime gang believed to have ordered his murder.

Detectives are this week questioning 24 people in Perth and Sydney following tip-offs from a mystery caller who phoned twice last year.

The head of the Purana Taskforce, Detective Inspector Andrew Gustke, believes Mr Samba, 60, was lured by someone he trusted to Middle Park, where he was shot and killed on February 27, 2011.

“It was quite evident this was a professional and serious hit,” Insp Gustke said.

He said the horse trainer was involved with drugs, but would not confirm whether he was dealing or using.

“He was a well-respected horse trainer and family man but the other side was a bit of a dark side in regards to drugs and money,” Insp Gustke said.

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Speculation involves some of Australia’s colourful racing identities.

Detectives have confirmed a number of the crime gang members were within the racing industry.

Investigators have spoken to a number of people, including controversial jockey Danny Nikolic, who was Mr Samba’s son-in-law.

But police have not named any suspects.

“We do have information that he (Mr Samba) did owe a substantial amount of money to this syndicate,” Insp Gustke said.

“This is a group that has been known nationally and internationally.”

Key to the investigation is a man who called police from a public phone box in New South Wales.

The caller had indicated that he would phone back — but the call never came.

It’s prompted fears the man was threatened, warned against speaking out — or that he’s already met with foul play.

Insp Gustke said police had a number of ways to protect witnesses and he urged the man to come forward.

The man had identified one person as the central figure in organising Mr Samba’s death.

Police believe the killing was organised by a group and that there were one or two hitmen at the scene at the time of the fatal shooting on Beaconsfield Pde.

A scruffy-haired gunman in a black cap was last seen running east on Langridge St.

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