Mongols bikie Emmanuel Kappos arrested by Australian Federal Police as part of Operation Kraken

A Mongols bikie charged with importing large volumes of methamphetamine allegedly relied on “trusted insiders” at Melbourne Airport when he was arrested trying to flee the country.

Mongols bikie Emmanuel Kappos was charged with importing large volumes of methamphetamine from the USA had “trusted insiders” at Melbourne Airport when he tried to flee the country, police allege. Picture: File image

A Mongols bikie charged with importing large volumes of methamphetamine from the USA had “trusted insiders” at Melbourne Airport and the docks when he was arrested trying to flee the country with a $200K debt owed to a “violent” organised crime figure, police allege.

Emmanuel Kappos, 34, was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Melbourne Airport last September as part of Operation Kraken, a co-ordinated international crackdown on the encrypted communications app Ghost.

The Fawkner man, remanded at Marngoneet Correctional Centre, made a second attempt at bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday where his mother offered a $450K surety for his release.

The court heard Mr Kappo received threats from an organised crime figure following the theft of a high-value drug consignment prior to him being apprehended at the airport with a last minute ticket to Qatar, $10,000 cash and his passport and birth certificate.

The man was arrested at Melbourne Airport trying to flee. Picture: NewsWireAscui

According to police, Mr Kappos received the message: “I promise you one thing – if you don’t pull through today … you and me are going to have a problem. I am going to attack you, brother.”

AFP constable Kiera Lloyd, who charged Kappos, alleged in court the bikie had no legitimate means to repay the $200K debt and attempted to pay it down with an illegal firearm, which he was prohibited from handling.

In opposing bail, the federal agent pointed to messages uncovered on encrypted apps in which Mr Kappos allegedly sought information about permanent residency overseas where extradition treaties do not exist with Australia.

“We can carry guns in Panama which is good,” Mr Kappos allegedly wrote.

Constable Lloyd alleged the bikie had “trusted insiders” at Melbourne Airport and the docks which increased his flight risk – a claim dismissed by his barrister Sam Tovey.

AFP officers arrested Emmanuel Kappos at Melbourne Airport as he attempted to flee. Picture: file image

“That is completely absent in the evidence. Nothing gets close to demonstrating that,” Mr Tovey said.

“In fact, the user of the phone indicated it was hard to get a trusted insider at the docks.”

The barrister said proposed bail conditions – including GPS monitoring – would put a “tight leash” on Mr Kappos, whose unwell mother Georgina Ktori faced homelessness if he breached bail.

“I’d have nothing,” his mother told the court when quizzed about potentially losing the surety.

The bikie is facing three counts of importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

His charges relate to the alleged import of three consignments of methamphetamine with a combined weight of approximately 7kg, originating from Chicago, Florida and Minnesota.

Magistrate Timothy Bourke will hand down his bail decision at a later date.--