Shocking photos emerge as Scottish couple facing 15 years in jail for £6,000,000 ketamine plot
Authorities in Australia have released shocking snaps of the huge drug haul they found in the boot of a rental car allegedly belonging to a Scottish couple.
Jack Farrelly, 30, and his 23-year-old partner Demi McDaid were arrested last month after New South Wales police officers raided their hotel room.
Cops said they found more than 100kg of drugs - believed to be worth almost £6million - in a vehicle that was hired by the pair, who face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The couple were taken into custody on 29 June after police launched an investigation into an 'alleged drug supply' in North Sydney.
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Officials believed that Farrelly and McDaid headed to Australia with 'the sole purpose of taking part in the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs'.
Around two kilograms of a substance that is believed to be ketamine was seized from a unit that had been rented 'for a short-term stay' in Artarmon, three days prior to their arrests.
Police also discovered paraphernalia including scales, disposable gloves, clear resealable bags with white crystallised residue, and items of luggage.
Cops then obtained a search warrant and busted into Farrelly and McDaid's hotel room at an establishment they were staying at in North Sydney.
Officers found several mobile phones, around $2000 in cash (£1,051) and what police believe to be 'drug ledgers' in the room - before going on to discover a massive stash of a substance in the boot of a car.
The vehicle in the hotel's car park is said to have contained a whopping 105kg of a white powder which is also believed to be ketamine. Police say that Farrelly rented the motor.
Farrelly and McDaid were both arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station and have since been remanded in custody. Both were denied bail during a court appearance on 30 June.
They have been charged with supplying a prohibited drug larger than indictable and less than commercial quantity and supplying a prohibited drug larger than or equal to large commercial quantity.
Farrelly and McDaid are set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 26 August.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Cops are looking into 'anyone else who may have been involved are underway'.
The UK Foreign Office said: "We are supporting two British nationals detained in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."
A source 'familiar with drug probes on this scale' told The Sun that the Scottish duo could be facing a lengthy stretch behind bars if they are found guilty.
'A very long stretch'
"If convicted, they could be facing 15 years minimum," the insider alleged. "A lot depends on the circumstances around the case but they are looking at a very long stretch and then certain deportation.
"It’s notable the arrest was made by New South Wales Police rather than Border Force or the Federal Police. That suggests it could be connected to local drug dealing rather than importation."
Detective Acting Inspector Alison Dixon, who is the Acting Crime Manager for North Shore Police Area Command, said that it is becoming increasingly popular for criminals to use rental homes for drug operations.
"We have seen this before in short stays and encourage property owners to be wary," she told news.com.au. "People staying in hotels and Airbnbs, we see a lot of illegal activities come and go through those places.
"Stuff out of the ordinary that doesn’t look right... if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.
"Community eyes and ears - that type of thing is vital. It takes a team to keep the community safe."
Dixon said they used a combination of 'good old-fashioned police work' and technology to track the couple down to their Sydney hotel room.
"My team acted swiftly, disrupting their alleged illegal activity," the top cop added.
Topics: Australia, True Crime, Drugs, UK News
Olivia Burke