KOKAINE
Kiss Tour Promoter Andrew McManus Arrested on cocaine related charges
Australian promoter Andrew McManus has been arrested on drug related charges for allegedly importing 300 kilograms of cocaine and for money laundering.
Noise 11 — McManus is the promoter for the upcoming KISS tour in Australia, due to start in Perth on October 3 via his current operation One World Entertainment.
One World Entertainment is also behind forthcoming Australian tours for Def Leppard, Eddy Grant with Sly & Robbie and Live (without Ed Kowalczyk).
According to The Age, McManus was arrested at Melbourne airport overnight after an international investigation started by the discovery of $700,000 in cash at a Sydney hotel in 2011.
McManus admitted to the cash in court that he claimed was from a recent Lenny Kravitz tour and was, according by McManus, being used to fund the advance for a ZZ Top tour.
Five people including McManus in Melbourne were arrested in Sydney and San Diego in this operation.
The investigation has been a joint operation by the FBI and the Australian Crime Commission. According to The Age, “McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice, attempting to defraud by false of misleading statements and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime”.
The KISS tour is due to start in Perth on October 3, Def Leppard will tour Australia for McManus in November. Live (without out Ed Kowalczyk) are scheduled for one show in Melbourne on November 17 and Eddy Grant with Sly and Robbie was due to play Sydney and Melbourne in February 2016.
The future of all tours is now uncertain while McManus is off the market.
