Dino Dibra
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Dino Dibra, (circa 1975 - 14 October 2000), was a suspected drug dealer, suspected murderer and a victim of the
. He is portrayed the 2008 Nine Network Television series Underbelly by Daniel Amalm.
Early Years - Petty Criminal
Between the age of 15 and 18, Dibra was charges with a number of petty offences, including theft, driving recklessly and possession of drugs (marijuana). He was known to police as a petty criminal with a cool and calm "gangster" persona.
Imprisonments
At the age of 19, he was charged with threatening to kill, threatening to inflict serious injury and unlawful drug possession. He was jailed and fined for these offences. On 15 October 1996, Dibra was imprisoned again, this time for 18 months for serious reckless driving offences.
Drug Dealer
Police believe that Dibra and an old friend Rocco Arico, were partners in selling and distributing cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. They were regular faces at the Dome nightclub in Prahran, Melbourne, as well as a Crown Casino nightclub. While the Purana Taskforce have stated on numerous occasions that Dibra was associated with several Melbourne underworld figures, including Mark Moran, Jason Moran, Andrew Veniamin, Carl Williams and Nik Radev and it is believed that these associations pertained to high-volume drug supply.
In 1998, a bouncer was shot dead outside the Dome Nightclub in Prahran. Dibra was the principle suspect in the shooting and it is believed that the shooting followed a dispute relating to drug supply.
Kidnapping
On 2 August 1999, Dibra and friend Rocco Arico were among several men charged over the assault and kidnapping (in broad daylight) of the brother of an associate of Arico. At the time, police has bugged Dibra's house and car, seeking information in relation to the Dome bouncer shooting. The police subsequently raided Dibra's Taylor Lake's house, where the victim was still locked inside the boot. Dibra and Arico were charged with a variety of offences over the incident.
Implication in Underworld Murders
On 23 November 1998, Charles Hegyaljie, known as "Mad Charlie", was killed at his Caulfield home. Dibra was implicated in the murder and it is believed that it was drug debt related.
It is believed that Mark Moran's minder, standover man "Mad" Richard Mladenich, was also shot dead by Dino Dibra in a room in the seedy St Kilda Esquire Hotel on May 16, 2000. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/23/1082616328400.html
Murder
Dino Dibra was shot dead outside his Krambruk Street home in West Sunshine on October 14, 2000 at approximately 9.15pm. Police suspect that Dibra's murdered was payback. http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=479
The Purana Gangland Task stated publicly that Dibra was murdered by Andrew "Benji" Veniamin, though they never charged Veniamin over Dibra's murder. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/26/1079939851234.html
Underbelly (TV Show)
The character of Dino Dibra is portrayed in the Nine Network's television series Underbelly by Daniel Amalm. He first appeared in episode four (Cocksure) and in his opening scene, Dibra was shown shooting a character named Bruno Bolotzi dead outside a nightclub. This is presumably based on the 1998 shooting death of a bouncer outside the Dome nightclub.
In the television series, it is implied at certain times that Dibra is Italian, when in fact, he is of Albanian descent.
References
- Crimescene Melbourne Underworld - Dominic "Mick" Gatto (An online reference guide from the Crime Writers Association of Australia)
- Gatto hits headlines in Noosa Suzanne Carbone and Lawrence Money, The Age, November 8, 2005
- The Master Networker Nick McKenzie, The Age, October 8, 2007