Edinburgh woman and partner face new charge over 107kg Sydney ketamine seizure
Demi McDaid and Jack Farrelly were arrested at a Sydney hotel after they were allegedly found with more than 100kg of ketamine in their car
A couple accused over the seizure of 107kg of ketamine in Australia are facing a new criminal charge following a court appearance in Sydney.
Demi McDaid, 23, and her partner Jack Farrelly, 30, were arrested at the end of June at a hotel in the city after police allegedly found 105kg of the drug in a car parked at the accommodation.
The Edinburgh pair, who appeared before Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, have now each been charged with one count of participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
They already face charges of supplying a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity.
Neither McDaid nor Farrelly has entered a plea.
Police said mobile phones, 2,000 Australian dollars (£1,060) in cash, and documents described by officers as drug ledgers were also seized at the hotel.
Detectives had earlier allegedly found 2kg of ketamine at a short-term stay unit in Artarmon on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, along with scales, gloves and other paraphernalia.
Police claim they travelled to Australia “for the sole purpose of taking part in the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs”.
A Foreign Office spokesperson previously said: “We are supporting two British nationals detained in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.”