Autumn Adams: Moo Moo and Blowfish restaurateur sentenced after admitting cocaine possession
The co-owner of top Gold Coast and Brisbane restaurants has opened up on why being caught buying cocaine nine times has been a ‘blessing in disguise’. Read her only interview
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A top Gold Coast and Brisbane restaurateur says her cocaine possession bust was “the wake up call I needed” after a court heard she had a “fairly heavy drug addiction” at the time.
Autumn Victoria Adams, co-owner of popular Moo Moo restaurants in Gold Coast and Brisbane, was sentenced for nine cocaine possession charges in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard a police operation - targeting a large-scale cocaine trafficking ring - uncovered evidence she bought cocaine nine times from the operation target in just over a month.
In an exclusive interview, Adams - who admits being “completely surprised” when police came knocking at her home in early August - said “police intervention has been a blessing in disguise”, that telling her parents was the “hardest part” and five months on she feels healthier than ever.
“I am feeling happier, healthy, and enjoying my life now. I am less stressed and anxious and to be honest, this has been the wake up call that I needed. There is no point looking back just looking forward,” she said.
“I am a good, kind, loyal person and I have a lot of close friends and long-term staff members who have been extremely supportive. This has nothing to do with the day-to-day running of our businesses, so it has been ‘business as usual’ for me.
The 45-year-old, who with husband Steven Adams established Moo Moo at Broadbeach and Brisbane, plus Gold Coast’s Blowfish Ocean Grill + Bar, pleaded guilty to nine charges of possessing unknown quantities of cocaine between June 28 and July 30 last year.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Karen Friedrichs told the court police had been “unable” to quantify the weight of cocaine Ms Adams variously possessed, as the offences were detected via analysis of an electronic recording device placed at the home of the investigation target.
Sergeant Friedrichs told the court Ms Adams’ offences, their short duration, and material presented as part of the case bore hallmarks of someone “suffering a form of fairly heavy drug addiction”.
Sgt Friedrichs said police were content with Ms Adams being fined due to no criminal history, combined with steps she had taken to rehabilitate including regular counselling.
Her lawyers also submitted urine tests showed abstention from drug use.
Defence counsel Patrick McCafferty KC told the court her 20 years at the top of the cutthroat hospitality industry had taken its toll.
He listed the 2022 flooding of Moo Moo Brisbane and Covid-19 as setbacks, with the 2011 flood particularly damaging, leading to “financial devastation” and loss of the family home.
“At times she felt unable to cope,” Mr McCafferty said.
Mr McCafferty added she was a contributing member of society, showed care towards her staff, and her restaurant empire had done years of charity support.
Ms Adams told this masthead “the hardest part of all was explaining to my parents what was happening but luckily, they have been extremely supportive”.
“This has been a very stressful year for our family due to many personal reasons, but I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason and the police intervention has been a blessing in disguise.
“I was completely surprised when the police turned up to our home. They did a very brief search which we fully complied with then asked one of us to accompany them to our restaurants as they wanted to obtain CCTV footage of the target of their operation dining in the premises,” she told the Bulletin.
“The staff and I co-operated fully. At the venues they reassured our staff we and they were not the subjects of the broader investigation. Once they had finished collecting the CCTV, I was charged with drug offences based purely on electronic surveillance footage from the home of the target of the operation. At no point was I personally searched or anything illegal found at my home or the businesses.
“I have been nothing but completely honest and transparent with all of my friends, staff and daughter’s school. I would like to sincerely apologise to my family, loyal staff, friends and the Gold Coast community for my actions and I’m genuinely excited for my future.”
She added: “Thank you to the police and detectives for their kind approach on the day. They had a job to do and did it with respect and compassion.”
Magistrate Nerida Wilson fined Ms Adams $1500 and placed her on a 12-month, $2500 good behaviour bond.
No convictions were recorded, on the basis Ms Adams holds the liquor licences for the restaurants, and recorded convictions could place those at risk, devastating the businesses.
Mr Adams, facing two charges each of possessing and supplying cocaine, is yet to enter pleas.
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Originally published as Autumn Adams: Moo Moo and Blowfish restaurateur sentenced after admitting cocaine possession
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