Police believe that Dibra and an old friend Rocco Arico, were partners in selling and distributing cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. They were regular faces at the Dome nightclub in Prahran, Melbourne, as well as a Crown Casino nightclub.[1] The Purana Taskforce have stated on numerous occasions that Dibra was associated with several Melbourne underworld figures, including Mark Moran, Jason Moran, Andrew Veniamin, Carl Williams and Nik Radev at different times and it is believed that these associations pertained to high-volume drug supply.[1][2] In 1998, a bouncer was shot outside the Dome Nightclub in Prahran.[1] Dibra was the principal suspect in the shooting and it is believed that the shooting followed a dispute relating to drug supply. At the age of 19, he was charged with threatening to kill, threatening to inflict serious injury and unlawful drug possession. He was jailed and fined for these offences. On 15 October 1996, Dibra was imprisoned again, this time for 18 months for serious reckless driving offences.[1] During the sentence he was given, the judge noted that Dibra had the worst driving record I have ever seen. On 2 August 1999, Dibra and friend Rocco Arico were among several men charged over the assault and kidnapping (in broad daylight) Richard Mladenich, an associate of Arico. At the time, police had bugged Dibras house and car, seeking information in relation to the Dome bouncer shooting. The police subsequently raided Dibras Taylors Lakes house, where the victim was still locked inside the boot.[1] Dibra and Arico were charged with a variety of offences over the incident. Implication in underworld murders On 23 November 1998 Charles Hegyalji, known as Mad Charlie, was killed at his Caulfield home. Dibra was implicated in the murder and it is believed that it was drug-debt-related. Hegyaljis close friend, Mark Brandon Chopper Read, in the documentary film Fat Belly: Chopper Unchopped, revealed that he believes Dibra was the perpetrator.[3] It is believed that underworld figure Mad Richard Mladenich was also shot dead by Dino Dibra in a room in the seedy St Kilda Esquire Hotel on 16 May 2000.[2] Dino Dibra was shot dead outside his Krambruk Street home in Sunshine West on 14 October 2000 at approximately 9:15 pm. Police suspect that Dibras murder was payback.[4] The Purana Taskforce stated publicly that Dibra was murdered by Andrew Veniamin, though they never charged Veniamin over Dibras murder.[5]
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:50:25 +0000