Mele Lineti Cross breaches bail for second time after release on drug trafficking, supply charges

A Mundubbera mother charged with drug trafficking has again wound up in court after she removed her GPS tracker while on bail. See the full details and the excuse she offered up to the magistrate:

A Mundubbera mother accused of trafficking ice has found herself back behind bars after breaching her bail for a second time.

Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross was granted bail under strict conditions last November, after she was charged with more than 140 offences including trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs.

It will be alleged the 29-year-old supplied more than 60g of ice between June, 2020 and August, 2021, bringing in about $100,000.

Kingaroy Magistrates Court was told Cross was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor upon her release, which she had worn up until deciding to remove it on Sunday.

Police were alerted the device had been removed and the Mundubbera woman was subsequently charged with breaching bail.

The court was told it was not the first time Cross had failed to comply with her bail conditions.

Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross was granted bail after removing her court ordered ankle bracelet, which she claims had been causing her blisters.

Defence lawyer Travis George said his client was originally bailed in November to live with her aunt and uncle in Brisbane, but once they became aware of media coverage surrounding the case, they decided it was no longer “appropriate” for her to stay with them.

“(Cross) then travelled back to her own address in Mundubbera and went to the police station,” Mr George said.

“She told them she had to return because she had nowhere else to go and was charged with that breach of bail.”

Mr George said there had been no attempt to damage or manipulate the tracker, but that she’d slipped it off her foot because it had been causing her blisters.

Cross pleaded guilty to the breach and was fined $500.

The 29-year-old was again granstated bail, however she will need to be refitted with the ankle bracelet before she can be released.

Cross is due to appear in Maryborough Magistrates Court on March 21 for a mention.