A WOMAN, accused of running a drug supply operation with her housemate after police found almost a kilogram of cocaine and $65,000 in cash in their car, has walked free from jail after prosecutors dropped all charges against her.
Emily Oxley, 25, had spent the past seven months behind bars after she was arrested alongside her friend, 21-year-old Ebbony Louise Nott, 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 five offences, including 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.
Oxley made a failed bid for bail the day after her arrest, and had spent the past seven months waiting for police to serve a brief of evidence and for prosecutors to finalise the charges.
But last week, when the matter was listed for charge certification, the DPP revealed it was withdrawing all five charges.
With nothing else keeping her behind bars, Oxley was released from jail.
The development in the case comes as Nott prepares to apply for Supreme Court bail after an application to be released was rejected in Newcastle Local Court in May.
Nott's solicitors had 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, the court heard.
