A father-of-two accused of getting rid of a gun used to fire shots at underworld figure Mitat Rasimi has been released on bail.
Albert Tangata'olakepa, 34, was on Tuesday arrested in Carrum Downs, southeast of Melbourne, and charged with assisting an offender over the murder of drug kingpin Tony Mokbel's former associate.
He is the fourth person to be charged in relation to Mr Rasimi's death, after Comanchero president Mick Murray and two others were charged with murder.
Mr Rasimi was found dead in March 2019, with four bullets to his chest, behind the wheel of his Peugeot Coupe at Dandenong.
Tangata'olakepa appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where prosecutors accused him disposing of the gun used to shoot Mr Rasimi.
Prosecutor Patrick Bourke alleged Tangata'olakepa had made an admission about disposing of the gun for payment in phone call recordings.
Homicide detective Thomas Asciak claimed Tangata'olakepa was recorded saying police found a photo of payment, being cash and a Rolex watch, on his phone.
"The other party said 'was that worth it?' and he said 'no it wasn't' because now his personal circumstances had changed," he told the court.
However, Tangata'olakepa's lawyer said this was not an admission and that he had denied any involvement in police interviews.
Mr Bourke said the prosecution objected to Tangata'olakepa's release on bail because the offence was serious and due to his possible links with the Comancheros, which he denies.
His family friend offered up a $10,000 surety for bail.
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski agreed to grant bail under strict conditions, including that Tangata'olakepa abide by a curfew and not associate with any Comanchero members.
He will return to court on January 17, 2023, for a committal mention.
