Court told police found drugs haul

Woman fights for bail as ice, ecstasy, cannabis discovered

POLICE found a commercial quantity of methamphetamine when they were called to a dispute in St Albans Park at the weekend.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday Chanel Booth and a male co-accused were at the home when police found drugs stashed in multiple zip-lock bags at the Gandross Place house.

Police prosecutor Chris Capuano told the court a search of the house uncovered about 80g of drugs, including ice, ecstasy and cannabis, and almost $3500 cash.

“She admits some of the bags were hers but denies trafficking (drugs),” SenConstable Capuano said.

The court heard one bag found at the property contained about 60g of ice while others contained smaller amounts in 1g portions.

Ms Booth, a 25-year-old casual disability support worker, did not plead to charges of trafficking ice, and possession of ecstasy and cannabis.

She instead represented herself while applying for bail.

“I just want to go back to university and go to my job,” Ms Booth said.

She told the court she risked losing her job if she wasn’t released on bail yesterday.

Sen-Constable Capuano argued against bail because police were not told where Ms Booth would live if bailed.

Ms Booth told the court she could live with her mother in Grovedale.

Describing the offending as “terribly serious”, Magistrate Leonard Brear said: “Methamphetamine is a scourge in our community.”

He told Ms Booth he was considering granting her bail with conditions including a curfew, and requirements she report to police in person with her mother and not associate with a co-accused.

Mr Brear deferred his decision on bail until today so Ms Booth could be assessed for a court support program. “I am not making any promises. I haven’t heard the prosecutor’s argument (against bail) yet,” the magistrate said. Ms Booth was remanded in custody.