Northern Rivers woman fronts court over ‘unusual’ drug

The woman will go to trial over attempting to possess the unlawfully imported drug in a commercial quantity.

Seized Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Picture: ABF

A Northern Rivers woman will go to trial over allegedly attempting to possess an “unusual” drug in a commercial quantity.

Pottsville resident Jemma Eadie fronted Lismore District Court on Monday, charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of the border-controlled drug gamma butyrolactone, unlawfully imported.

Police will allege the offending took place over April 16 to June 2020 in Bega, NSW.

When Judge Jeffery McLennan read out the charges, he seemed surprised by the drug mentioned, questioning Sydney-based public prosecutor Jose Alexander Brummert.

“That’s an unusual drug Mr Brummert,” Judge McLennan said.

“It’s becoming more common,” Mr Brummert responded.

Gamma butyrolactone, more commonly known as GLB or liquid ecstasy, is a drug usually swallowed in its liquid form, often mixed with water or a soft drink and similar to GHB.

Judge McLennan also questioned why the case was proceeding before Lismore District Court when the charges were placed in Bega.

“Geographically speaking, that’s the opposite end of the state,” he said.

The court heard the investigation of Ms Eadie was headed by Queensland AFP and the charges were first heard in Lismore Local Court, leading to the Lismore District Court arraignment.

Ms Eadie will remain on bail but had her bail residence adjusted from Robina to Tweeds Heads.

The trial is expected to commence November 8, 2021 and take 10 days.

A readiness hearing will also take place on September 17.