Alleged Mongols bikie run riders Andre Stepanyan, Emmanuel Kappos fail to appear in Darwin Court
Two men charged during a notorious bikie gang’s annual run through the Territory have failed to appear at their first scheduled court appearance.
Police & Courts
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Alleged Mongols bikie run riders skipped court over their alleged drug offences, with a warrant now out for one man’s arrest.
Andre Stepanyan, 36, and Emmanuel Kappos, 31, were expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Thursday both charged with drug offences.
Police allege the pair were issued notices to appear in Alice Springs while taking part in the Mongols annual run on October 13.
More than 150 bikies took part in the Mongols outlaw motorcycle club’s national run, with the notorious gang riding from Darwin to Alice Springs.
NT Police, interstate and federal officers were on high alert, watching the run with officers testing drivers for alcohol and drugs and the vehicles for roadworthy inspections.
Police allege Stepanyan and Kappos were both pulled over in Alice Springs.
Stepanyan was charged with possessing less than a trafficable quantity of a schedule 2 drug and a thing to administer drugs, while Kappos was charged with drug driving.
Both men were given notices to appear on November 24, but failed to turn up to their hearings before Judge John Neill.
Mr Neill put out a warrant for Stepanyan‘s arrest, but said Kappos did not necessarily need to attend for his charges to be dealt with.
He said the drug driving charge could be managed in an “ex parte” hearing, without Kappos needing to be present.
The court heard the 31-year-old had a criminal history in Victoria, but the Territory’s mandatory licence disqualification rules did not apply.
A new court date for the pair has not yet been set.
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