Property manager Kate Azzopardi caught purchasing cocaine at Surry Hills

A highly regarded property development manager with a leadership role was caught red-handed purchasing cocaine in a dial-a-dealer transaction at Surry Hills. Here’s what happened.

Property development manager Kate Azzopardi leaving court.

A highly regarded property development manager with a leadership role at PERIFA was caught purchasing cocaine at Surry Hills.

Kate Azzopardi, of Kellyville, faced Downing Centre Local Court sitting at John Maddison Tower for sentence after she pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum convicted the 31-year-old and fined her $330.

Police facts state undercover cops were patrolling Surry Hills targeting drug deals on May 20 when they saw Azzopardi hop into a suspicious Audi A2 on Bellevue St.

The car travelled a short distance before Azzopardi exited the vehicle.

Azzopardi pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

Police state the interaction looked like a “typical dial-a-dealer transaction”.

The officers approached Azzopardi, revealing their police badges. She “immediately dropped” two bags of cocaine to the ground, which amounted to 1.2g.

Outside Surry Hills Police Station. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Azzopardi told police she had purchased the drugs while she was inside the car.

The manager was arrested and charged at Surry Hills Police Station, where she told officers she earned $9000 per month.

During her court appearance, Azzopardi’s lawyer Ahmad Faraj said his client was a highly regarded development manager at the top of her professional career who was seen as a “role model”.

“She made full admissions to police and was charged with the same offence in 2013. She uses cocaine during stressful times in her life,” he said.

The court heard she was charged with the same offence in 2013. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“She is apologetic and this was an eye-opening experience for her.”

Mr Antrum said Azzopardi was concerned a conviction could impact her career but her employers had reassured her they would stand by her.

“I recognise she played a leadership role in a male-dominated area and she has received counselling and completed a course,” he said.

“She had the same charge a decade ago and was not convicted. The police are flat out dealing with dial-a-dealer matters and this problem consumes resources, costs taxpayers money and comes at a huge cost to relationships and employers.”

Azzopardi has been working as a property manager with PERIFA for four years and was previously an assistant development manager for Britely Property Group.

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