Double life as drug cook
A FORMER Colac pharmacist has been sentenced to a jail term after police stumbled on her secret drug lab where she was busted cooking methamphetamine.
Elizabeth Yau, 37, was sentenced at Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday to three months in prison, but has since been released on bail so she can appeal the punishment.
Yau was working at two local pharmacies when police raided her home on Ligar St, Colac, in October 2020.
The raid, which stemmed from an unrelated investigation, resulted in police discovering a clandestine drug lab where Yau was manufacturing the drug ice.
Court documents reveal police found a range of materials including scientific glassware, chemicals and instructions to make the drug.
Yau pleaded guilty to possessing materials for the purpose of drug trafficking.
She also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with regulations covering her role as a registered pharmacist.
The court heard those charges involved Yau signing out a bottle of dexamphetamine from one of the Colac pharmacies.
Yau is currently suspended from her profession and medical evidence was provided to the court indicating she has a provisional diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder.
Defence lawyer Avi Furstenberg said his client’s actions happened while she was romantically involved with a man who was “exerting coercive control” over Yau.
But magistrate Franz Holzer cast doubt on that theory and said there were signs that Yau had gone to significant lengths to plan her offending.
He said Yau’s actions were at odds with her profession and that jail was the only option.
“Pharmacists have a privileged position and a very important responsibility in the community,” Mr Holzer said.
“It’s a position of trust in which the safety of the community is paramount.
“People have an expectation that people in Ms Yau’s position will responsibly and safely exercise their professional responsibilities and duties, and not take steps which would otherwise expose members of the community to risk and harm.”
On top of the jail term, Yau was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order.
She has been bailed to reside in Clayton until her appeal is determined in the County Court.