Australian Nightclub Operators Remain Behind Bars

The two were among 11 charged with drug trafficking at their clubs after a series of raids in Melbourne. Police allege they found thousands of ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and cash when they raided Two Floors Up. Its owner, club DJ Jason Kolbeck, was also charged with possessing a prohibited weapon.

An application for bail by Kolbeck, May 2, was refused by Melbourne Magistrates Court. Police had opposed bail with claims that the 35-year-old had been a daily meth user for 10 days and that after the raids, he had booked a hotel room in which to store drugs and cash. Kolbeck returns to court July. Chris Lytras, an owner of the Railway Hotel, in the inner-city suburb of Brunswick, remains behind bars. But another owner, former sound engineer Paul Polito, was released on a A$150,000 ($110, 500) surety on the condition he undergo treatment for cocaine addiction before returning to court July 14.

Police claim that cocaine and meth were sold in an upstairs room at the Railway, with undercover police buying more than A$67,000 ($49,350) worth of drugs from December to March.