Mark Chikarovski, the son of former New South Wales Liberal Party leader Kerry Chikarovski, has been exposed as the operator of a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking enterprise on the dark web. Using the alias "AusCokeKing," Chikarovski sold large quantities of narcotics, including cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine, on platforms like Abacus. Transactions were conducted exclusively in cryptocurrency, allowing him to bypass physical interactions with customers.

Judge Jane Culver described his operation as "sophisticated" and far more severe than street-level drug dealing. In his defense, Chikarovski's legal team highlighted a troubled upbringing and ongoing mental health issues as mitigating factors.

Following his arrest in May 2023, Chikarovski was sentenced to a 35-month intensive corrections order. This included home detention, community service, and mandatory mental health treatment. Raids on his properties uncovered significant quantities of drugs, cryptocurrency, and luxury items such as high-end vehicles.

Documents from the ICIJ reveal Chikarovski’s financial ties to offshore entities. Through SFM Corporate Services, a firm specializing in offshore company formation, he managed a shell company named Aquay Holdings Ltd. Registered in the UAE and Seychelles, Aquay Holdings maintained a bank account in Cyprus.

The proceeds of Chikarovski's drug trafficking funded an opulent lifestyle, which included two Porsche SUVs and a multimillion-dollar property in Sydney. Authorities uncovered evidence that he had been involved in international drug trafficking since at least 2017, with cryptocurrency serving as the primary payment method.

While Chikarovski argued that he turned to drug trafficking to pay off debts and avoid violent consequences, prosecutors presented evidence of his substantial wealth and extravagant spending, refuting his claims.

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