Vaios Gkourmis jailed after $20m of cocaine found stashed inside imported jukebox

A Melbourne electrician arrested after $20m worth of cocaine was found hidden inside an imported jukebox will be doing the Jailhouse Rock for at least eight years.

Vaios Gkourmis was arrested over the importation of 36kg of cocaine inside a jukebox.

A Melbourne man arrested after $20m worth of cocaine was found hidden inside an imported jukebox will be doing the Jailhouse Rock for at least eight years.

Vaios Gkourmis, 27, was sentenced in the County Court on Wednesday to 12 years and six months behind bars with a non-parole period of eight years after he pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

The court heard more than 36kg of pure cocaine – with an estimated value of $20m – was concealed in dozens of rectangular packages that were stashed inside the music machine.

In June last year, the 290kg jukebox arrived in Melbourne from Greece by air cargo but was busted open by Australian Border Force officials.

The cocaine was tested, removed and replaced with a neutral substance and “tracer material”.

The jukebox contained 36kg of pure cocaine. Picture: Supplied

Judge Fiona Todd told the court Gkourmis and a 40-year-old associate had driven to a Sunshine address where they expected the jukebox to be delivered to a 66-year-old man.

But unbeknown to the pair, police had placed a listening device in the associate’s car.

The captured conversations reveal that the 66-year-old man was struggling to dismantle the jukebox inside the Sunshine home, which prompted Gkourmis to head to Bunnings.

“You bought gloves, a wrecking bar, a saw and other tools to be used to deconstruct the consignment,” Judge Todd said.

But after finally helping the 66-year-old gain access to the packages, Gkourmis said he was suspicious a “trap had been set” because the substance did not appear to be cocaine.

He told his associate: “It’s hard to break it. I’ve never seen gear that’s hard to break like that.”

The associate replied: “I’m worried. I’m worried. I’m worried they’ve f--king replaced it and … the malakas (the wankers) are watching the whole thing.”

The cocaine was tested, removed and replaced with a neutral substance by Australian Border Force officials. Picture: Supplied

A warrant was executed at Gkourmis’ Reservoir home the next day, with police seizing the Bunnings receipt and a puffer jacket covered in the tracer material.

Judge Todd said while Gkourmis was an “enthusiastic and helpful” participant, the associate was “effectively directing” him.

“Your role (was) junior but sustained, practical and informed,” she said

“You bought tools at Bunnings. You examined the substituted cocaine. You communicated in detail throughout this with (the associate).

“I conclude … that your reason for participating was because you stood to profit in the form of money or drugs.”

The court heard he was using cocaine on a daily basis until he was arrested in June last year.

But Judge Todd said Gkourmis, who was an auto-electrician and has no prior criminal convictions, has “strong” prospects of rehabilitation.

“I accept that … there is a degree of contrition and remorse for what you did,” she said.

With time already served, he will be eligible for parole in less than seven years.

Gkourmis’ associate will front the County Court in December for a plea hearing.