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Monday, December 16, 2013

More claims involving doping of horses--Australia

Bill Vlahos company ties to underworld figure

Bill Vlahos chaired BC3 until this month.Source: News Limited

THE thoroughbred company linked to disgraced punting club architect Bill Vlahos has repeatedly done business with an alleged drug baron who is suspected of doping horses.

BC3 Thoroughbreds has accepted payment from the man, allegedly a big player in Australia’s drug trade, in exchange for several racehorses.

The accused drug lord, known to state and federal police for more than a decade, is before the courts charged with trafficking commercial quantities of illicit. The Herald Sun understands one of the man’s associates is suspected of using a pharmacy that sells peptides and growth hormones.

The accused trafficker has claimed in court that he has discussed doping animals.

A horse enthusiast, he purchased at least two racehorses from BC3 in 2009 for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

About four months before those purchases, he was publicly named as a target of an alleged murder plot that police suspect had been connected to his alleged part in a botched drug trafficking bid.

Corporate regulator ASIC banned him from being a company director six years ago, alleging he faked paperwork and pocketed proceeds from the sale of a luxury company car.

It is unclear whether BC3 was aware of his history when it did business with him.

The Herald Sun does not accuse BC3 of any crime.

BC3, chaired by Mr Vlahos until this month, is in administration.

Mr Vlahos is being sued by investors who claim to have lost millions by backing his betting syndicate, known as The Edge.

As recently as September, the accused trafficker was caught up in a major operation targeting money laundering, illegal firearms and drug importation through Australia’s ports.

The man is well-known on the horse racing scene.

He has close ties to one of Melbourne’s most dominant underworld figures.

BC3 Thoroughbreds said in a statement through its administrators Moore Stephens that it was not linked to Mr Vlahos’ punting club.

“Moore Stephens said they, along with BC3 Thoroughbreds, are working with Racing Victoria on its investigation and will continue to provide them with as much information and assistance as possible,” the statement said.

A creditors meeting will be held in Melbourne on ­Thursday.carly.crawford@news.com.au drugs, including methamphetamine.
quoted from here

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