Melanie Cox on bail, drug case adjourned in Coffs Harbour court

The 49-year-old woman facing serious drugs charges has been bailed out by her dad. Her case was back before Coffs Harbour court recently.

A car was seized by police after an alleged drug bust at North Boambee Valley in December. Picture: Frank Redward

A 49-year-old Coffs Harbour businesswoman with a limited criminal history has been bailed out by her dad as she prepares to fight a number of serious drug charges.

Melanie Cox is pleading not guilty to all charges.

The matter was back before Coffs Harbour court on January 25. Her bail was extended and the case adjourned to March 15.

Her father Michael Cox has entered into a bail security agreement on her behalf of $1000 and she must continue to report to Coffs Harbour police station daily and remain in town at a specific address.

She must not leave that address between the hours of 9pm and 6am unless for a medical emergency.

Ms Cox was stopped in a vehicle on the Pacific Highway at North Boambee Valley about 9.45pm on December 16 as a part of a police operation investigating the supply of prohibited drugs between Sydney and Tweed Heads.

Police speak with the tow truck driver prior to the car being taken away on the night of December 16 last year. Picture: Frank Redward

Police allege they found 245g of methylamphetamine (ice), 30g of cocaine and $4180 cash in the car.

She was also subjected to a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive result for methylamphetamine (ice) and cocaine.

Police allegedly found three phones in the car.

Ms Cox was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of possess prohibited drug, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).

She was arrested and spent the night behind bars before appearing in Coffs Harbour court via audiovisual link on Friday, December 17, before being released on bail.

With her grey hair up in a bun, she fought back tears and at one point put her face in her hands as the court dealt with her matter.

At the time her lawyer Ahmed Ibrahim told the court Ms Cox was the owner of a “legitimate furniture store” and had no criminal history other than a traffic offence about 10 years ago.

The case will be back before court on March 15.