Maitland drug supply case: Elizabeth Ann Cox pleads guilty to drug and firearm charges at Newcastle Local Court

Elizabeth Ann Cox, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of possess prohibited drug; four drug supply charges; two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime; two counts of possession of an unauthorised prohibited firearm and one charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, while a further 26 charges against her were dismissed.

Police first had dealings with Cox in March, 2021, when she was stopped in Tenambit and a search of her car found a laptop bag with a debit card, a small resealable bag containing 1.32g of methylamphetamine and $18,000 in a bag that belonged to her partner which he claimed was winnings from the pokies.

A month later she was stopped again in Thornton where officers found a clear plastic bag containing 19.1g of methylamphetamine.

They also found a syringe of methylamphetamine in liquid form.

In October, police established Strike Force Callard, a secret police sting investigating drug supply in Maitland.

Cox was identified as a person of interest and officers began to tap her phone calls, where they established 21 deals between November 8 and 25.

Court documents show the total amount was at least 45.5 grams worth $19,850.

On November 25, police intercepted a phone call between Cox and an associate where it was established she was going to receive a "large amount" of meth.

Police saw her leaving her unit in a black Jaguar, where she headed to the local NAB and withdrew $6000.

Eventually she drove to Devonshire Street and parked next to a white Corolla.

Police evidence shows Cox handed the driver $55,000 in exchange for two medium reusable bags filled with a clear crystal substance.

Both were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

Later that day, police searched Cox's unit and found 67.42g of methylamphetamine, a replica Remington shotgun, a replica Glock pistol and $12,200 in cash.

Court documents show Cox didn't appear to have a job but had multiple bank accounts, one with more than $163,900 in deposits from various people leading up to her arrest.

Police also took a CCTV hard drive from the unit and a money counting machine.

Cox will be committed for sentence at Newcastle District Court in early December.

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