Rebels bikie Joseph Raimondi drops 50kg and dodges jail after drug raid in WA

A dramatic drug raid and the threat of time behind bars has led a 152kg bikie with ‘self-esteem issues’ to drop one third of his bodyweight, a court heard.

Joseph Raimondi, 35, lost 51kg following gastric sleeve surgery after police busted through his front door in June last year to find the Rebels figure in a bathroom, where a zip-lock bag and about two grams of meth were floating in the toilet.

Raimondi was charged with trying destroy evidence, and was staring down the barrel of three-and-a-half-years in prison.

Joseph Raimondi (pictured right) lost a phenomenal 51kilograms after having gastric sleeve surgery to help get his excessive weight under control

Western Australia’s District Court heard he was in the garage of his home in Landsdale in northern Perth when police arrived, the West Australian reported

Raimondi, who was once considered close to slain Rebels boss Nick Martin, ran inside the house and locked himself in an ensuite, but the police were quickly able to gain access. 

Barrister Michael Tudori said his client tried to flush the drugs down the toilet in a panic. 

But he was unsuccessful getting rid of the package, arguing it was ‘an attempt as opposed to an actual destruction’.

Mr Tudori added that father-of-three, who was photographed at the scene of the gangland-style shooting of bikie enforcer Joseph Versace last September, had used drugs to cope with ‘self-esteem issues’ over his weight.

Raimondi (pictured) was once considered close to slain Rebels boss Nick Martin

But in the aftermath of the raid, the court heard the fishing shop owner and bricklayer finally reached out to get the help he needed and spent time at the Whitehaven Clinic, a private drug and alcohol rehab centre.

‘The reality is, if it wasn’t for that, the police entering that day and these charges, he probably wouldn’t have gone to Whitehaven,’ Mr Tudori said. 

‘Now, he’s had a gastric sleeve, he’s dropped 51kgs to date, so he’s just sitting on 100, he obviously wants to go more, but that’s important.

‘Because he wants to remain drug-free.’

Mr Tudori told Judge Belinda Lonsdale that Raimondi now feels much better about himself and had even started fishing again – as now he was able to get into a small boat without it ‘almost tipping over’.

Judge Lonsdale said Raimondi had a lengthy criminal record and a fine would not be appropriate.

Raimondi (pictured) tipped the scales at 152kgs before starting on the process of trimming down

She sentenced him to nine months in jail but suspended it for nine months.

The Rebel did get fines for other recent transgressions, though, including one of $1,000 for showing his gang ink in a public place – a Bunnings shop.

Raimondi pleaded guilty to the charge, which related to the ‘Rebels’ tattoo on the left side of his head.

He also got another $1,000 fine and had to pay $264.30 in court costs for displaying his bikie tattoos at Perth’s Crown Casino in June last year.