A COUPLE who attempted to transport more than $5000 worth of methylamphetamine from Melbourne and sell it from a Mount Gambier hotel have been sentenced.
Narissa Kym Williams, 37, and Vishal Prakesh, 44, appeared in the District Court of South Australia before Judge Geraldine Davison, pleading guilty to one count of trafficking a controlled drug, namely methylamphetamine.
The maximum penalty for the offending is a $50,000 fine or imprisonment for 10 years or both with Williams and Prekesh entitled to a reduction of up to 10pc on account of entering guilty pleas.
The charges stem from an incident on May 8, 2019 when police received information relating to a suspected drug activity occurring at a Mount Gambier hotel.
A search warrant was executed and the police attended at a room in the hotel where both defendants were located.
A plastic tub containing 5.21g of crystal powder that contained 3.67g of methylamphetamine with a purity of 70pc was located inside a King Gee boot, along with two sets of digital scales, several Ziploc bags, a glass ice pipe, a notebook that contained a list of names with dollar amounts and two mobile phones.
Williams claimed ownership of the book but denied knowledge of the plastic tub inside the boot.
An analysis of both mobile photos revealed text messages consistent with trafficking methylamphetamine that were sent and received in the days prior and on the date of the police search.
An outgoing message on May 5 at 3.50am outlined the transportation of $5500 worth of methylamphetamine from Melbourne, which was planned to be sold in Mount Gambier.
Upon interview, Prekesh said both himself and Williams had driven a rental car to Mount Gambier on May 5 and were visiting for a couple of days to look at rental properties and possible employment as relocation was considered.
Prekesh explained he had lost his wallet and asked an acquaintance and her partner to rent a room at the hotel.
He told police the acquaintance and her partner had stayed with them both in the room the first night and were in and out of the room the second, denying any knowledge of the drugs and other items located in the saying.
The defendant said they had returned to the room from lunch and shopping and noticed items which were not there previously and attempted to call his acquaintance by she did not answer.
Prekesh said he and Williams fell asleep and shortly after police arrived.
Williams told police Prekesh’s acquaintance had a “vendetta” against her due to the relationship she shared with the co-accused and thought it was likely she was the one who tipped them off.
It was revealed in court both defendants had extensive history of similar offending and had been convicted on numerous occasions.
Prakesh was sentenced to four years imprisonment, which was reduced to two years, 11 months and 10 days due in part to time spent in custody and home detention.
A non‑parole period of 18 months was set.
Williams received three years, six months and 13 days imprisonment with a non-parole period of 21 months, which was suspended upon her entering into a three-year good behaviour bond.
Williams was ordered to submit to drug testing and must be assessed to participate in suitable psychological counselling and drug and alcohol counselling.
