Melb DJ Could Remain In Jail For Two Years Following Nightclub Drug Busts

A Melbourne DJ and nightclub owner charged with drug trafficking could remain in jail for up to two years while waiting for a trial following police raids on two separate venues in the CBD.

According to the Herald Sun, Jason Kolbeck, co-owner of the Two Floors Up nightclub, was denied bail yesterday in court by Magistrate John Hardy who said the DJ was at risk of reoffending due to the "super serious" charges. 

Kolbeck was last month charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs after detectives found "what is believed to be several thousand ecstasy pills as well as quantities of other drugs believed to be methamphetamine".

He is reportedly one of 11 people charged after the raids and police claim that Kolbeck hired a hotel room as a storage space for cash and drugs after one of the other accused was arrested.

Kolbeck hoped to continue working at the nightclub if released on bail, however prosecutors argued against this, insisting that the venue is "at the heart" of where the crimes took place.  

Meanwhile, a court has heard that the other Melbourne venue which was raided last month, The Railway Hotel in Brunswick, was so prolific for drug trafficking that buyers had to line-up and wait to purchase illegal substances. 

Police allege that managers Chris Lytras and Paul Polito sold large amounts of ice and cocaine from their upstairs office, where an undercover operative had to line up outside of the office with other drug buyers. 

Undercover officers in Operation Thunderstruck reportedly spent more than $67,000 on buying drugs from the venue since December last year. 

Polito was yesterday bailed on a $150,000 surety and on the condition he would seek treatment for a cocaine addiction, while Lytras remains in jail. 

Both Polito and Kolbeck are expected to appear in court again this July.

Earlier today organisers of the Two Floors Up venue issued a statement on their Facebook page ensuring that they will not be closing down.