Toowoomba crime scene declaration led to liquid fantasy drug bust

Police uncovered a Toowoomba woman’s drug stash after declaring her suburban home a crime scene for an unrelated matter.

Toowoomba woman Jarna Ann McLean was fined following a drug bust in October 2024.

A recidivist drug offender was given a stern warning that if she did not make a concerted effort to get on top of her longstanding addiction, the 44-year-old mother would eventually find herself in jail.

Toowoomba woman Jarna Ann McLean was charged with a raft of drug charges in October 2024 after her home was declared a crime scene.

McLean fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 11, and pleaded guilty to possessing Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB), three bongs, a glass pipe, an electric grinder, and digital scales.

One charge of possessing cannabis was dismissed.

Toowoomba woman Jarna Ann McLean was fined following a drug bust in October 2024.

The court heard police located McLean’s drug stash at a crime scene in North Toowoomba which was declared for an unrelated criminal matter.

While police officers were completing a systematic search of the crime scene, the court heard inside the woman’s bedroom officers located the liquid GBH in a small glass jar.

McLean told the officers the liquid was “Frank” and it belonged to her along with, as with the other utensils she used to weigh and smoke methamphetamine and prescription cannabis.

The court heard McLean used drugs throughout her “entire life,” which was sparked by a toxic family environment, however her use had reduced following her recent participation in a number of support programs.

The court also heard the 44-year-old suffered from chronic arthritis, which she said was the main driver behind her drug use to manage pain associated with the condition.

Magistrate Mark Howden said McLean’s criminal history showed she had a longstanding drug problem spanning more than two decades.

“It’s probably more of a health issue,” he said.

He said that given the many probation orders and programs completed by McLean, it was unlikely that a probation order would be beneficial.

“She knows full well what she needs to do to stop using if she’s prepared to do that,” he said.

“She’s had all sorts of penalties in the past and nothing has worked.”

Mr Howden told McLean she was well aware that GHB was an illegal drug and warned if she did not change her ways at some point she would find herself in a jail cell.

McLean was fined $350 and a conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba crime scene declaration led to liquid fantasy drug bust