Marino Sotiropoulos, the man accused of kidnapping former cricketer Stuart MacGill, has been charged over drug importation.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, MacGill is the former partner of Sotiropoulos’ sister Maria Meagher, and was also arrested earlier this month and charged for knowingly taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of drugs.
He had formerly worked at Meagher’s Greek restaurant, Aristotle’s Neutral Bay.
Sotiropoulos was arrested on Tuesday with the same charges as MacGill.
Police allege the pair were both involved in the same attempt to import a one-kilo brick of cocaine worth $300,000.
In 2021, Sotiropoulos was one of several men linked to the kidnapping of the Australian bowler.
MacGill was allegedly thrown into a car from his home in Cremorne and driven to Bringelly in western Sydney, where he was allegedly threatened and assaulted.
It was initially said by police that he was a victim and wasn’t accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Police also said that the abduction was a result of a debt related to the alleged cocaine deal.
Both Sotiropoulos and MacGill remain on bail and will face court in October.
In the meantime, the former must report to police everyday while accompanied by one of his parents, must stay in the country and is not allowed to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge without police approval.
If he sees MacGill in the street, he must “turn and walk away” and cannot contact him.
Sotiropoulos will face trial along with four others accused of the kidnapping next month.
