A reality TV star spent almost two months behind bars after being accused of being involved in an international drug supply and money laundering syndicate.
Marjorie Griffiths went from appearing on television on the most recent season of “The Bachelor” to appearing in court after being arrested for drug supply and money laundering.
The 26-year-old was awakened by heavily armed specialist police officers and arrested during a dawn raid on her home in Umina Beach, Australia, on October 26.
She has been accused of supplying 2.2 pounds of cocaine to an undercover police officer on March 7 before supplying 2.2 pounds of MDMA to an unknown person in June.
The cleaning company employee is also accused of knowingly handling hundreds of thousands of dollars of criminal proceeds.
Police allege she was a major player in a criminal network that supplied large quantities of drugs before laundering the proceeds from illicit drug sales through an international syndicate.
Australian reality star Marjorie Griffiths has been accused of being involved in an international drug supply and money laundering syndicate. Marjorie Griffiths/Facebook
On Wednesday, his lawyer James Lang argued that there was no evidence his client knew what he was transporting when he allegedly followed instructions to pick up bags and boxes.
He claimed there was “no evidence” Griffiths knew who he was meeting or why on the seven occasions he allegedly supplied drugs or laundered cash.
“(The Crown has) surveillance evidence that is consistent with a circumstantial case… that Ms Griffiths has taken packages, whether in the form of a box or bag, containing a prohibited drug… or cash.” Lang said.
Griffiths was arrested on 26 October 2023. New South Wales Police
At its peak, he said the police case described Griffiths as simply “a courier” who was “performing the function of someone with a much greater criminality”.
Crown prosecutor Jade Pearson said the investigation into the crime syndicate was ongoing and several key elements of the brief against Griffiths still needed to be compiled.
Key among them is a statement from an undercover agent, who the court was told received 2.2 pounds of cocaine directly from the reality TV personality on March 7.
Pearson said police were still trying to unlock two phones that were in Griffiths’ possession at the time of his arrest and which could also contain useful information.
Griffiths participated in the tenth season of the Australian version of “The Bachelor.” Marjorie Griffiths/Facebook
The 26-year-old has been charged with failing to provide the PIN code to an electronic device following a police order.
Pearson acknowledged there was “sufficient” evidence of wiretaps or listening devices to help the crown establish knowledge of Griffith’s alleged offences.
He also told the court there was no forensic evidence linking the reality TV personality to any of the items seized by police during the raid, including cash and drugs.
“It is currently accepted that it is not the strongest case before the Crown,” the Crown prosecutor admitted.
Lang told the court that the complexity of the case and the ongoing nature of the investigation meant Griffiths could be held in protective custody for a longer period than she would serve if convicted.
Griffiths allegedly supplied 2.2 pounds of cocaine to an undercover law enforcement officer on March 7 and 2.2 pounds of MDMA to an unknown person in June. New South Wales Police
“It is not a simple matter that will be resolved quickly,” he said, noting that it was agreed that the matter would still be in court in 2025.
Judge Julia Lonergan agreed there would “inevitably” be a delay of at least 18 months in processing the case due to the “ongoing” nature of the widespread investigation.
Start your day with everything you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
“I accept that the Crown’s case is not yet strong and had a gap in the form of the absence of anything to persuasively demonstrate that the applicant knew what she was transporting,” he said.
Judge Lonergan granted Griffith bail with numerous strict conditions including electronic monitoring, abstinence from drugs and alcohol and a strict curfew.
You are also prohibited from possessing an internet-enabled device and must have only one phone in your possession at any time.
The former “Bachelor” contestant wore a green prison T-shirt and shorts and an anxious expression during the hour-long bail hearing.
Her frown did not diminish when she was told she would be released into her parents’ custody.
The blonde beauty was paired with Thomas Malucelli, a 35-year-old restaurant manager, on the 10th season of the hit reality series “The Bachelor.” She left the program after 12 weeks.
Her friend, Molly Rosewarn, was also arrested during the raid on Griffiths’ home.
She was charged with possession of a prohibited drug and supplying more than an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug.
Their close relationship has been spread on social media, with Griffiths sharing numerous photos and videos of her hugging Rosewarn, whom she called “my girl.”
The best friends and former housemates will be banned from communicating with each other under Griffiths’ bail conditions.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn