Gran ‘unaware’ of drugs
A GRANDMOTHER who has claimed ignorance to almost 20kg of cannabis and a swag of cash – including more than $100,000 in a box of Christmas decorations – must have known her husband was running a commercial operation from their home, prosecutors have said.
Helen Goedegeburre, and husband Simon Goedegebur- re, both 47, have been charged with possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing MDMA and firearm offences.
Mr Goedegeburre was apprehended in a LandCruiser, allegedly with 1kg of cannabis and “a large amount” of cash last month, before detectives raided the couple’s house.
In Darwin Local Court last week Mr Goedegeburre told the court he was to blame and his partner didn’t know. He remains behind bars.
Mrs Goedegeburre has been released on NT Supreme Court bail with a $20,000 cash surety.
Opposing bail, prosecutor Tami Grealy said: “There is an irresistible inference that she has knowledge of the drugs and the supply operation.
“It’s an affront to common sense to say she would not be aware of (her husband’s) possession of cannabis.”
Defence lawyer Shane McMaster said his client, who had no criminal history, admitted smoking a “couple of cones” and claimed ownership of 3g of cannabis found on a table at the Bees Creek rental property.
“She has never seen anything like the volume of cash or drugs shown to her upon arrest, except on TV,” Mr McMaster said.
Mr McMaster said the Goedegeburres had been served with an eviction notice and his client needed to help her son, 20 – whose partner is pregnant with their second child – find a new premises to live in and run their 4WD reconditioning business from, which would fund her legal bills.
Mr McMaster said his client could end up on remand for up to nine months before her case went to trial.