A MAITLAND woman has pleaded guilty to a string of drug and firearm charges after police caught her trading a jewellery bag filled with $55,000 in cash for 277 grams of methylamphetamine in November, last year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
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.
IN THE NEWS:
WHAT DO YOU THINK? We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on the Newcastle Herald website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. Sign up for a subscription here.