Grace Poo pleads guilty to hiding drugs in bra and ‘downstairs’

A young woman who tried to smuggle almost 1600 MDMA caps into a dance festival wrote about buying a “huge bra” days before being caught hiding the staggering amount of drugs in her cleavage and “downstairs”, it is alleged.

Grace Poo tries to cover her face as she leaves Burwood Court.

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A young woman who tried to smuggle almost 1600 MDMA caps into a dance festival wrote about buying a “huge bra” days before being caught hiding the staggering amount of drugs in her cleavage and “downstairs”, it is alleged.

Social media and marketing officer Grace Poo, 22, pleaded guilty to commercial drug supply on Wednesday at Burwood Local Court after a police sniffer dog stopped her entering Midnight Mafia Music Festival on May 5 last year and police uncovered MDMA which would have been worth nearly $50,000 if they were sold for $30 each.

Julian Martusciello, 26, from Chester Hill, also pleaded guilty to drug supply after providing Poo with about 400 of the capsules police say she was found with.

Julian Martusciello at an Asian restaurant near Burwood Court.

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Police facts tendered in Martusciello’s case allege that before the festival at Sydney Olympic Park the pair wrote to each other about Poo carrying in some MDMA caps.

She also allegedly told him she was bringing in “stuff” for others.

Martusciello wrote to Poo on Facebook Messenger: “Hey grace keep this Saturday free please. For MM … split some downstairs and some each boob.”

Poo — who tried to shield herself from view with a bright blue umbrella when leaving court — later wrote back: “Okay I’ll wear an actual bra this time”.

Grace Poo leaving Burwood Court.

Martusciello responded: “You have to for sure. Big bra.”

Days later Poo wrote to him: “Just bought myself a huge bra so I’m all set.”

Martusciello then wrote to her about the plan for her to take 400 caps in total in two separate packages. He said he would give her $400 cash, 40 “freebies” and a ticket.

“As long as can fit downstairs,” she wrote back.

Martusciello messaged her he would wrap it tight as the “less in bra is better”.

On 5 May, 2018 the pair drove together to Sydney Olympic Park for the Midnight Mafia Music Festival before Poo tried to walk in and was approached by a police sniffer dog, police facts say.

She initially denied having any drugs but allegedly went on to admit: “OK, I have a lot”.

“How much is a lot?” the senior constable asked.

She allegedly responded: “Like, a lot, a lot of MDMA … in my top and some inside of me.”

The Earlwood woman was stripsearched and allegedly removed six packages wrapped in plastic and condoms from her bra.

Court documents say she also removed one small condom-wrapped package from inside her.

Police facts allege she had 1597 capsules, or 181 grams, of MDMA inside seven packages. Police say about 400 of the caps were supplied by Martusciello, including her payment of 40 “freebie” caps.

During an electronically recorded interview Poo told police she was carrying the drugs for five groups or people.

She said she intended to enter the festival and go into the bathrooms to give the drugs back to them.

Poo told police the money she would have received would probably be about $1000 and “depend on like how much would’ve been sold and just different variables”.

Police bail documents say that Martusciello “appears to have an extensive network in relation to the ongoing supply of drugs at music festivals”.

Poo, who is now facing up to 20 years behind bars, works as a social media and marketing officer and this was her first drug charge, court documents state.

Poo and Martusciello have been committed for sentencing at Parramatta District Court on March 8.

The facts in Poo’s case are yet to be agreed.