Townsville mum’s commercial meth trade was busted in a police operation

A TOWNSVILLE mother’s commercial meth trade was brought down when the 29-year-old became subject to a major police operation, landing her with a lengthy time in jail.

• Murder trial hears accused ‘left her to die’
• Lesley-Lee Hill free from jail after GoFundMe fraud sentence

A TOWNSVILLE mother’s commercial meth trade was brought down when the 29-year-old became subject to a major police operation.

Rae Lee Rose Vaughan pleaded guilty to four charges in the Townsville Supreme Court on April 21, 2021.

On July 21, 2018, Vaughan’s house was raided by police and she was charged with drug trafficking, drug supplying, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing an item used in connection with committing trafficking.

Crown Prosecutor Monique Sheppard said Vaughan was involved in a four-week trafficking operation with her then partner who was identified as a mid to high level trafficker.

The court heard Vaughan’s partner supplied her with methylamphetamine to sell, however she began to engage in her own commercial operation and supplied street level quantities of the drug, but also offered to supply wholesale amounts.

Rae Lee Rose Vaughan pleaded guilty to four charges in the Townsville Supreme Court on April 21, 2021. Photo: Facebook.

The court heard Vaughan offered to supply on some 20 occasions more than 73 grams of the schedule one drug, however only 10 grams were supplied.

Vaughan’s defence barrister Harvey Walters said his client became “addicted to drugs” when her relationship with the father of her son broke down.

She formed a new relationship with a drug user who engaged her in committing drug crimes.

Mr Walters said Vaughan now suffered from several mental health issues as a result of her troubled life.

In sentencing, Justice Susan Brown said it was clear Vaughan had “poor cash flow” and was “supplying a lot on credit”.

Justice Brown slammed Vaughan’s behaviour of trafficking meth, stating the drug was “causing huge problems to our society”.

“How would you feel if someone offered your son methylamphetamine,” Justice Brown said.

Vaughan was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the trafficking charge and a further six months for supply.

She was convicted and not further punished for the remaining two charges, with convictions recorded.

Vaughan will be eligible for parole on April 21, 2022.

Originally published as Townsville mum’s commercial meth trade was busted in a police operation