​Owner of Chicago nightclub Spybar charged with drug trafficking

Dino Gardiakos, the owner of Chicago nightclub Spybar, has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking, Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Gardiakos was arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Wednesday, March 13, after he was discovered in possession of more than six kilograms of ketamine and almost 6 grams of MDMA.

According to the Cook County sheriff's office, the 43-year-old club owner was returning to the city on a flight from London, where he was discovered with a large amount of drugs.

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The Chicago Sun-Times reported that around 14 pounds (6.3kg) of ketamine was found hidden in containers inside his luggage, along with 5.8 grams of ecstasy.

Gardiakos told investigators that he purchased the drugs to use and sell in Chicago, which were bought for “personal use”, per the Cook County sheriff's office.

According to abc7, Gardiakos was already on probation for previous drug offences when he was arrested, and now faces charges of drug trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.

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In a statement released just two days after his arrest, Spybar explained that the “staff, management and the operating owner are shocked and saddened by the allegations against and arrest of Spybar co-owner Dino Gardiakos”.

“Spybar has a zero-tolerance policy for illicit or illegal activities,” they wrote. “Mr. Gardiakos’ ownership has been exclusively passive and he has not been a part of Spybar’s operations for more than seven years.”

They added that Spybar is currently working with a team of professionals to ensure that they deal with the issue “swiftly and thoroughly”.

[Via Chicago Sun-Times]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter