Dad denies missing son victim of drug hit

The father of a Darwin man who vanished while on bail for drug and firearm charges has denied his son was the victim of a contract killing.

Rumours that Marshall Nicholas “Nick” Haritos’s disappearance was the result of a drug-related contract killing began circulating in Darwin’s underworld soon after the 26-year-old vanished on July 28.

Nick Haritos was on bail on 11 drug and firearm charges after a $2 million amphetamine seizure.

“I won’t allow myself to think that anything has happened to him,” Marshall Haritos senior said yesterday.

“I’ve heard the rumours too but I won’t allow myself to think like that. I don’t want to think that he’s come to foul play.”

Nick Haritos was last seen driving a white Holden Rodeo utility, with NT registration 666-375, along Dick Ward Dve in Darwin about 11am on July 28.

He has not made contact with nor been seen by family or friends anywhere in Australia.

Mr Haritos Sr said his son had been resigned to and willing to serve jail time if found guilty on the drug and firearm charges.

He said he did not believe his son had run away to avoid facing court.

“It’s very out of character for him to disappear like this and very out of character for him to run away from anything like this,” Mr Haritos Sr said.

“We’re worried – we’ve got no idea where he might be.

“He might have done a runner but he hasn’t taken anything with him – he hasn’t even grabbed a swag.

“If you were going to shoot through for a bit you’d at least take a swag.

“Then there’s the rumours…

“I’ve gone through every possibility in my head – I don’t have the answers.”

Nick Haritos is a fair-skinned Caucasian male, about 180cm tall, weighing about 85kg, with short brown hair and brown eyes.

He has a tattoo of a “demon behind the helm” on his right shoulder.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or police communications on 8927 8888.

Newshawk: Stuart Highway
Pubdate: 12 August 2004
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Author: Edith Bevin
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au