PIZZA DRUG BUST
13/03/2009 1:31:00 AM
A PIZZA shop co-owner allegedly used pizza deliveries to distribute large quantities of drugs over a 12-month period, the Ballarat Magistrates Court heard yesterday.
Don Ciccio's Pizza and Pasta co-owner Tony Bazzano, 45, of Ballarat, allegedly sourced the party drug amphetamine in ounces from well-known Ballarat and Melbourne underworld identities and sold it to motorcycle gang members, the court heard.
It is alleged the street value of the drugs Bazzano sold is about $56,000.
Bazzano was yesterday charged with one count each of trafficking amphetamine, ecstasy and cannabis, one count each of possessing cannabis and amphetamine, and dealing with property suspected as the proceeds of crime, during
police drug bust Operation Gagmen.
Ballarat Regional Response Unit Senior Constable Steve Atkinson told the court police executed a search warrant at several addresses across Ballarat as part of the operation.
He said Bazzano was arrested after 7am at a Sebastopol address where 60 ecstasy tablets and between 20 to 30 grams of amphetamine valued at about $5500 were seized.
Sen Const Atkinson said almost $3000 cash was also seized.
Police arrested three people during the operation, but one man was released without being charged.
Sen Const Atkinson also said police saw Bazzano exchange drugs with another man outside the Howitt St pizza shop in Wendouree on February 17 this year, and police seized three grams of amphetamine.
Bazzano made a bail application in court yesterday, which police opposed, and Magistrate Fiona Stewart refused.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Damon Saunders told the court Bazzano was at risk of interfering with witnesses and committing further offences.
He said Bazzano had prior charges for assault, assault with a weapon and threatening to kill.
Representing himself in court, Bazzano said his partner was pregnant, he would spend 15 hours at the pizza shop and he would turn his life around.
Bazzano was remanded in custody to appear in court on Wednesday, when he is expected to make another bail application.