Tahlia Ball: Dubbo woman charged with operating drug premises

A Dubbo woman blinded by love, tried to cover for her partner when police uncovered a significant drug operation at her home, a court has heard.

A young pregnant mum from Dubbo blinded by love has wound up in court after she allegedly tried to take the fall for her partner’s significant alleged drug operation.

Tahlia Ball, 22, appeared in Dubbo Local Court today charged with prohibited drug possession and allowing her address to be used as a drug premises.

Officers who raided her home, discovered a box of buprenorphine in a child’s play area, a designer watch, white crystal substance and stacks of cash strewn around the house.

Documents tendered to Dubbo Local Court reveal police swooped on Ball’s address on March 12 this year, following reports of dozens of cars coming and going in the space of an hour.

Subsequently, police executed a search warrant where Ball and her partner declined to remain at the property while officers came across $17,885 in cash, 40g of the drug ice, 2.4 grams of buprenorphine, multiple mobile phones, a Versace watch, notebooks with drug weights, and glass pipes.

Tahlia Ball, at Dubbo Local Court.

“It is alleged the drugs were for the purpose of supply for financial reward and the cash was the proceeds of the supply of prohibited drugs,” agreed police facts state.

“The accused and co-accused were operating the premises as a drug premises.”

Three days after the raid, police tracked down Ball and her partner at the Quality Inn Motel, where Ball proceeded to delay officers knocking at the door as her partner escaped from the balcony.

“The accused delayed opening the front door to allow the co-accused to escape the room,” agreed police facts state.

“The accused was placed under arrest and the co-accused was later located attempting to flee police through the Dubbo Golf Course (and) he was arrested at this time.”

Officers who subsequently swept the room found a bag of the drug ice which Ball identified as hers and for which she was then charged.

In an interview with police, Ball initially tried to take responsibility for the alleged drug operation, before her partner allegedly made “full and frank admissions” saying he did want her to take the blame.

A solicitor for Ball told Magistrate Theresa Hamilton that his client was three months pregnant and denied having an illicit drug problem, having only involved herself in the matter in a bid to protect her partner.

Ms Hamilton convicted Ball and sentenced her to an 18 month community corrections order.

“There was quite a serious drug operation going on involving drugs and tens of thousands of dollars,” Ms Hamilton said.

“It’s important for you and your child that you stay out of trouble.”