A Melbourne party boy and 'addiction recovery coach' was caught in an alleged Amazon-style drug distribution racket.
Heavily-tattooed Adam Avignone-Green, also known as 'Adam Antony', fronted the Melbourne County Court on Thursday charged with trafficking simpliciter - a legal term for the standard offence of trafficking in a drug of dependence.
Avignone-Green, a well-known supplement promoter within the city's fitness and party scene, appeared in court after allegations he was caught trafficking drugs in St Kilda in March 2023.
The accused, who once bragged online about completing the gruelling 75 Hard challenge, a 75-day fitness and self-discipline program, was set to be arraigned on the trafficking charge but it was adjourned so that he could make an application to have his matter heard in the drug court rather than the regular criminal division.
The court heard that Avignone-Green was the 'principal' in the alleged racket where drugs were advertised from a website and then distributed from a St Kilda warehouse.
'We have him as a principal, he is integrally involved in the operation,' prosecutor Peter Pickering said.
'Whether that is sitting in front of the computer and putting stuff on the website or directing someone else or going off and sourcing drugs is, again, maybe a matter of emphasis.'
Judge Anthony Lewis asked if there was any idea of the amount of drugs involved in Avignone-Green's matter.
Heavily-tattooed Adam Avignone-Green, also known as 'Adam Antony', was charged with trafficking simpliciter
Mr Pickering said the prosecution and the defence were still trying to outline Avignone-Green's role in the racket, but indicated that the alleged drug haul did not reach the commercial threshold.
'Then you have the allegations... which [are] about offering for sale in different types. At the risk of a cliché, it's possible you could think of it like Amazon, which is that someone orders through a website and it is sold through a distribution centre,' Mr Pickering said.
'That's how this is. So, to that extent, there are estimations being made of how much was sold or was offered for sale, but it's not suggested that they reach the commercial level.'
The court heard that a second offender had already pleaded guilty to multiple offences of trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs, but his matter was completely separate from Avignone-Green's alleged offending.
The other man also admitted to dealing with proceeds of crime and trafficking simpliciter and was previously sentenced in the drug court.
Prosecutor Pickering said that Avignone-Green and the second man were 'together at one stage', but Avignone-Green was charged after they 'split'.
Barrister James Anderson, for Avignone-Green, said his client was remanded for 'further offending' on December 31, but those charges were 'not in this league, if that makes sense'.
The court heard those new charges will resolve in the magistrates' court.
Avignone-Green was a party boy prior to going into custody
Mr Anderson also said his client 'would relish the opportunity for a drug and alcohol order' if his matter were to be determined in the drug court.
'He is someone who has engaged in pretty significant attempts previously to rehabilitate himself,' Mr Anderson said.
'There are two major events in the last couple of years... he is definitely someone who would relish that opportunity. If that window is still open, we'd like to take it.'
Avignone-Green is a prominent Melbourne party boy, well-known in the city's weightlifting and fitness circles.
He completed the 75 Hard challenge - a strict 75-day fitness and self-improvement program involving daily exercise, diet, water intake, reading, and progress photos - and posted his journey on Instagram.
It's understood that he promoted legal proteins and supplements prior to going into custody, and advertised himself online as being an 'addiction recovery coach'.
His bio reads: 'Addiction Recovery Coach dedicated to helping others escape their vices and reclaim their lives.'
Avignone-Green was remanded to face court next on November 4.
Judge Lewis gave the defence an opportunity to apply for drug court while allowing parties time to settle on an agreed summary.
'[I] can't sentence until that is agreed,' Judge Lewis said.
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