A young woman accused of supplying large quantities of drugs with her housemate has been refused bail after police allegedly found 700g of cocaine and $65,000 in cash in a handbag next to her birth certificate.
Ebbony Louise Nott, 21, has spent the past five months behind bars after she was arrested alongside her friend, 25-year-old Emily Oxley, during a targeted vehicle stop at Waratah West on December 29.
Police searched the car and allegedly found a total of 972 grams of cocaine, 75 grams of MDMA and $65,000 in cash, and Nott and Oxley were later charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police said the drugs had an estimated street value of more than $200,000.
Nott appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday to apply for bail. Her solicitor, Kimberley Norquay-Evans, argued she was not being treated for her mental health condition behind bars and could live at an address away from the Hunter to avoid any criminal connections.
But prosecutors opposed bail, pointing to a strong case against Nott, who they said, despite her young age, was looking at a jail term if convicted.
Police allegedly found 735 grams of cocaine and $65,000 in cash in Nott's handbag, which also contained her wallet, birth certificate, phone and items commonly used in drug supply, including scales and resealable bags.
Nott and Oxley lived together at a house in Camelia Street, Gillieston Heights, and police later raided the house and found more drugs and identification belonging to both women, the court heard.
Judge Janine Lacy agreed it was a strong case against Nott and said there was no evidence of her mental health condition or that it was not being appropriately treated in jail.
Judge Lacy said Nott had not shown why her continued detention was not justified and refused bail.
Oxley had applied for bail on the day after her arrest, but it was refused.
She remains behind bars and the pair will next appear in court on June 24.
