Couple Deon Vermey and Renee Betterman-Paltridge pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking
A couple will face trial for drug trafficking after they were allegedly caught with fantasy and cash in a bumbag during a traffic stop.
North & North East
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A couple will face trial for drug dealing after police allegedly uncovered fantasy and cash during a traffic stop.
Deon John Paul Vermey, 25, and Renee Winnis Betterman-Paltridge, 28, pleaded not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday to drug trafficking.
Mr Vermey and Ms Betterman-Paltridge, who are listed as in a relationship on Facebook, were stopped by police on November 11 at Northfield.
During Mr Vermey’s unsuccessful home detention bail bid in March, the court heard police found 245g of fantasy in the front passenger footwell of the car.
“When they stopped the vehicle they observed this accused trying to secrete the item between the seat and the front passenger door,” the prosecutor said at the time.
The court heard police also found over $2000 in a bumbag Mr Vermey was wearing.
“When they searched his residence they found more quantities of the same drugs, they found deal bags, scales and a syringe,” the prosecutor said.
Ms Betterman-Paltridge was granted home detention bail in November with conditions not to consume any drugs or alcohol and to not communicate with Mr Vermey.
Yan Robson, for Ms Betterman-Paltridge, said while the car police observed was registered to her client and she was the driver, the case against her client weakened after a search of the duo’s houses.
“It’s the co-accused’s house in Lightsview where … items such as scales and paraphernalia that would be indicative of drug trafficking are located,” she said.
“Whereas at her house they’ve located paraphernalia which would be more indicative of the use of the drug.”
On Thursday, Magistrate Simon Smart committed Mr Vermey, of Lightsview, and Ms Betterman-Paltridge, of Elizabeth Vale, to the District Court for arraignment in September.
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