Mark Chikarovski arrested for alleged drug delivery on dark web
The son of former NSW Liberal leader Kerry Chikarovski is on trial on Friday over alleged multi-million dollar drug shipments on the dark web.
Mark Chikarovski, 37, was arrested at a flat in Bondi Junction on Thursday and taken to Waverley Police Station where he was charged with 31 offences.
Mark Chikarovski was arrested Thursday at a Bondi Junction flat for allegedly supplying illicit drugs on the dark web.Credit: NSW Police
In January, investigators from the State Crime Command’s cybercrime team formed Strike Force Cesta to investigate the supply of illicit drugs across New South Wales using dark web marketplaces.
During the investigation, police identified a marketplace that facilitates the supply of cocaine, methylamphetamine and MDMA in exchange for cryptocurrency.
Detectives and tactical officers were executing search warrants at an apartment complex in Bondi Junction and a home in Vaucluse around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Chikarovski was arrested at the Bondi Junction flat and taken to Waverley Police Station.
During a search of the properties, police said they found illicit drugs, computers, $30,000 in cash, about $269,000 worth of various cryptocurrencies and two Porsche SUVs.
Mark Chikarovski with Kerry Chikarovski.
These items were confiscated and subjected to a forensic examination.
Chikarovski was charged with 31 offenses, including the continued supply of prohibited drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of a crime, and 16 counts of supplying a prohibited drug in greater quantity than punishable by law and in less quantity than commercially available.
