Berkeley hairdresser Suzanna Ristevska jailed for running drug operation from home

An Illawarra middlewoman busted supplying nearly half a kilo of meth to maintain her drug habit has learnt her fate.

A drug-dependent hairdresser at the heart of a major drug operation in Sydney and the Illawarra will remain behind bars for nearly two years.

Suzanna Ristevska, 42, was busted running a drug house from her Berkeley abode by undercover investigation Strike Force Mote in July, 2021.

Ristevska appeared via video link from Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre on Monday after previously pleading guilty to two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of drugs, participating in a criminal group, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and organising or conducting or assisting a drug premise.

Wollongong Local Court heard two of Ristevska’s associates received 18 months in jail with a non-parole period of seven months and a 12-month intensive corrections order.

Suzanna Ristevska was sentenced on Monday. Picture: Facebook

Police seized 41.76 grams of heroin and 496.44 grams of meth. Picture: NSW Police

Judge Haesler said Ristevska didn‘t live a “lavish lifestyle” due to her involvement in the drug ring but was ”more involved” than the aforementioned associates.

He sentenced her to a three-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of one year and nine months.

Documents tendered in court revealed phone taps led to investigators pinning Ristevska for sourcing and supplying 41.76 grams of heroin and 496.44 grams of meth between May 20 and July 17, last year.

Police arrested Ristevska at about 6pm on July 17 after they nabbed her associates driving a white Toyota Hilux to her Berkeley address, with subsequent raids uncovering the drugs and more than $28,000 in cash.

Police seized more than $28,000 in cash for Suzanna Ristevska's home. Picture: NSW Police

Capsicum spray was also seized, with Judge Haesler telling the court it was “not the worst weapon connected to drug supply, but it’s still a weapon”.

The court heard Ristevska had two previous drug convictions, the most recent coming in 2015. Her sentencing assessment report indicated her offending was spurred on by her “daily use of heroin and ice”.

Judge Haesler said Ristevska had spent about 450 days in custody on remand, meaning she could be eligible to be released in May next year.