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An alleged stand-over scheme at a Kings Cross strip club involving two burly brothers and another man nicknamed “fat boy” whom police say is a member of a large cocaine ring … it was as if a Raymond Chandler novel had come to life.

But instead of the story appearing on the pages of a crime novel, Central Local Court played host to the colourful story - set in an part of Sydney ruled by a “code of silence”.

Three men, Luke “Fat Boy” Sparos and brothers Helal and Hysam Safi, faced the court yesterday charged with the kidnapping of the manager of a strip club, Stripperama, Adonis Yourelis, on April 19 last year.

The trio allegedly kidnapped Yourelis to extort money from the club’s owner, John Kopasakis.

Police said the three men entered the club - now called Strippers - and took Mr Yourelis, demanding he ring his boss and get him to come and meet them.

But instead of acceding to the men’s demands Mr Kopasakis went to Kings Cross police station and reported the kidnapping, police allege. The three men released Mr Yourelis before police arrived but CCTV footage from the club showed them with him, it is alleged.

The Chandler-esque in yesterday’s hearing was perhaps best exemplified during an exchange between the defence solicitor, Jim Nicopoulos, and a Kings Cross detective, Troy Smith.

Pressed as to why one witness to the alleged events had been more forthcoming, Detective Smith explained the Cross’s unique culture.

“He’s worked up at the Cross for a number of years. He’s not stupid; he knows how to play the game,” Detective Smith said.

“What do you mean ‘play the game’?” Mr Nicopoulos asked.

“He knows how to make things difficult,” Detective Smith said.

Later, asked why he had not spent more time canvassing people who might have seen the incident, Detective Smith replied: “It’s Kings Cross. No one speaks. It’s a code of silence up there.”

Helal, 33, and Hysam, 31, both tall, heavy-set men with shaved heads, sat quietly during the hearing. Sparos appeared via a video link from jail.

There is no suggestion the Safi brothers were involved in the cocaine importation ring.

The hearing was truncated after it was announced Mr Kopasakis would not be appearing to be cross-examined. The explanation for his absence provided the proceedings with another colourful moment.

“He’s off shooting, I’ve been told,” the defence barrister, Winston Terracini, SC, told the Magistrate, Robyn Denes. He said police had informed him Mr Kopasakis was on a family shooting expedition outside Sydney and would not be back in time for the hearing.

“It might be a school holidays activity,” Ms Denes said.

“How many kids go on shooting trips? Shooting kangaroos?” Mr Nicopoulos said.

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