A woman accused of trafficking methamphetamine and cannabis has been denied bail after a search of her home and vehicle allegedly uncovered large quantities of drugs, cash, and a hunting knife.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mount Pleasant woman, Chanelle Hartup, faced the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after her arrest on Monday.
The court was told Hartup was observed by police leaving a set of units in Mount Clear that had been under surveillance for drug-related activity on April 12.
Her car was intercepted, and police noted Hartup was on bail for alleged drug offences, and asked to search her car.
It's alleged police found a bag with methamphetamine and $371.45 in cash in her purse and a hunting knife and a round of ammunition in her car.
She was then arrested, with a search warrant executed on her Mount Pleasant home - a taser, 55g of vegetable matter, 15g of methamphetamine, 12 deal bags with small white crystals, 13 valium tablets, $1300 cash, and more pills were allegedly found.
Her phone was also examined, allegedly revealing text messages related to drug dealing.
She was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence while on bail for drug possession offences.
The prosecution summary stated Hartup "has shown total disregard for the criminal justice system".
Her defence lawyer noted despite being on two counts of bail, Hartup had no recent prior criminal history, and this was her first time in custody.
He noted she would contest the trafficking charge, and said the drugs belonged to her partner, who was currently in prison - similarly, Hartup had given instructions that the ammunition had been found by one of her children in the bush years ago, the hunting knife belonged to a friend who had fixed the car stereo, and the methamphetamine allegedly found in the car belonged to a friend she had just dropped off.
He noted there could be a potential delay in re-listing the case, and time served on remand could exceed a potential sentence.
IN THE NEWS
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt rejected this argument, and said the evidence presented through Hartup's mobile phone was strong.
"The applicant has failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances exist, and the application must be rejected," he said.
Hartup will return to court on May 13.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.