Victoria Police wins rights to drug trafficker’s Geelong property

A legal showdown over the $1m home of a Geelong heroin dealer has ended with police seizing the “drug fortress” and putting it up for sale.

Zeth Samios’ Geelong home has been seized by police and is up for sale.

The $1m home of a Geelong heroin dealer has been seized by police and put on the market after a marathon legal battle.

The force spent four years fighting Zeth Samios in the courts for control of the Bostock Ave, Manifold Heights property, which was the headquarters of his drug trafficking activities.

The showdown over the house had its roots in 2018 when it was raided by detectives from the Geelong divisional response unit.

They found 80 grams of heroin valued at $32,000, a sawn-off shotgun, $10,000 in cash and stolen property worth $50,000.

Samios was also charged with setting a trap with intent to cause serious injury.

In 2018, Samios pleaded guilty to 18 charges and a magistrate jailed him for six months and handed him an 18-month community corrections order.

Meanwhile, investigators and the Department of Justice worked to take control of Bostock Ave under the Confiscation Act.

They were ultimately successful after a succession of hearings in the County and Supreme courts upheld the original decision that the property was linked to the criminal offending of Mr Samios.

Police spent four years fighting Zeth Samios in the courts for control of the Bostock Ave, Manifold Heights. Picture: Realesate.com.au

Items seized from the home of Zeth Samios. Picture: Department of Justice/Victoria Police

Police also confiscated $20,708.20 from Samios’ personal bank account.

At the time of his arrest, he was on bail after drugs were found in his Mercedes-Benz AMG during a police intercept at Manifold Heights.

Detective Senior Constable Jacob Horvath told the Herald Sun the decision to go after the house followed frustration at the recidivism of Samios.

Constable Horvath said arrests and convictions appeared to do nothing to deter him and that the house was a key element in his offending.

He said Samios appeared to be “doing all right” for someone who did not work.

“(We decided) if we can connect the offending to the assets, we’ll seize it,” Sen-Const. Horvath said.

The high perimeter fence had razor wire on top and the house was bordered by rows of 10cm spikes.

A sawn-off shotgun seized from the home of Zeth Samios. Picture: Department of Justice/Victoria Police

Cash seized from Zeth Samios home. Picture: Department of Justice/Victoria Police

A 2018 court hearing was told these measures were in place to deter police.

“It was a drug fortress,” Constable Horvath said.

Bostock Ave is listed for sale, minus mantraps, at a price of $1.05m.

It has four bedrooms and is described as “ready for renovation”.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the case was a prime example of how the force would work with other agencies to attack the financial base of drug traffickers.

“Police make absolutely no apologies for targeting the accumulated wealth of those who prey on others, including those with an addiction, for financial gain,” the spokesman said.

“Alongside significant prison terms, drug traffickers can expect police to take the keys to their property, cars or any assets gained through criminal activity.”