Anthony Colgrove: Ex-bikie arrested after police drug sting targets accused ‘Django’ on encrypted app

A former bikie who now covers things in gold for a living stands accused of a conspiracy to possess a stash of drugs worth a fortune — allegedly using the codename “Django” while talking to his alleged accomplices on an encrypted messaging app. Anthony Colgrove, 35, was arrested in a Stirling park on Thursday, along with another man — his friend Christopher Drivilas, 32. According to allegations aired in a Perth court, the pair thought they were there to meet a criminal contact — who they had been chatting with on an app called Threema about a plan to get their hands on 10kg of MDMA and 5kg of cocaine. Mr Colgrove was allegedly calling himself “Django” in those chats, and Drivilas Patek.2. Their contact was allegedly “Crimstar”. According to prosecutors that contact was also working for the police – having allegedly been caught with a serious stash of drugs some weeks before, and agreeing to help detectives catch some of his contacts. Police prosecutors said during their earlier investigation, 5kg of meth had been seized, along with a 24.2kg of MDMA. And it was suggested it was a portion of those drugs that was being talked about on an encrypted chat, discussion which stretched for more than two weeks. Threema is one of a string of encrypted messaging apps being used by criminals to attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement. Some of the app’s features include a unique ID key, which allows users to remain completely anonymous. Users can also obtain a scannable QR code which you can present to other users if you meet in person but don’t want to exchange names. One of those allegedly using the app was Mr Colgrove, who has had a well-known association with the Comanchero bikie gang for years. However his lawyer Jeremy Noble said that gang membership came to an end last year, and he now owns a gold plating business, lives with his partner, and together raising their three year-old child. Mr Noble also said the allegations against the ex-bikie were “pie in the sky” — as there was no immediate proof that he was indeed “Django”. He said the allegations would be “defended on a firm plea of not guilty” “It’s going to be a long road,” he said. During a sometimes peculiar bail application — which police opposed because of the seriousness of the charges — magistrate Donna Webb said the early police case appeared “speculative” and “weak”. “There is no evidence of this person taking possession of any drugs,” she said. She granted both Mr Colgrove and Mr Drivilas bail. But she also said the allegations were extremely serious, which should be reflected in their conditions for freedom. Both were ordered to make a $100,000 promise to come back to court, as well finding a $100,000 surety. Neither will be allowed to leave WA, hold a passport, or talk to each other. Both will be on a strict night time curfew, both will have to report daily to police — and allow their phones to be checked — and will be not allowed to travel more than 100km away from the Perth CBD. They will both return to court in May.