A POLICEMAN who moonlighted as a Sexpo mascot has admitted trafficking drugs while working at the event.

Senior Constable Paul Hatzakortzian, 37, dressed up as exhibition mascot "titasaurus" while stationed at the Melbourne sexual offence and child abuse unit in 2006.

He was jailed for a year last year after pleading guilty to trafficking ice, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis, but a court order kept the details secret.

County Court Judge Tom Wodak yesterday lifted the suppression order after ruling Hatzakortzian had no case to answer on separate charges of conspiring to traffic cannabis, after a trial involving less than 15 minutes of evidence.

Hatzakortzian pleaded guilty to dealing drugs to people he knew through Sexpo.

An operation by the Office of Police Integrity and the Ethical Standards Department focused on Hatzakortzian.

Undercover police bought six ecstasy pills at his house in August 2006. His housemate told one: "It's all right, he's a policeman."

Hatzakortzian later confessed to dealing in ice, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, saying he estimated he had sold drugs about 60 times.

He was originally charged with 80 offences, but pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking drugs between August and October 2006.

He was given two years' jail, half suspended for two years. He has completed the jail sentence.

His not-guilty plea to the cannabis allegation meant his earlier conviction could not be revealed for fear of prejudicing jurors.

Source: Herald Sun    18.06.2008