Taia Kakahi, 37, accused of selling ‘sparkly’ versions of the drug GBL across Illawarra
A glam mum-of-three has fronted court accused of selling sparkly ‘personalised’ versions of the drug GBL - in bottles used for Voss sparkling water.
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A glamorous mum-of-three has been refused bail after police allege she supplied a commercial quantity of GBL across the Illawarra, allegedly “personalised” with her own glittery trademark.
Taia Kakahi, 37, was arrested in Figtree on Thursday evening and charged with one count of supply indictable, commercial quantity of prohibited drug, one court of supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug and not comply with public health direction, after police allegedly found three bottles of sparkly GBL in her rental car.
The glam Illawarra woman was refused bail by Magistrate Michael Love on Friday afternoon, after officers from Strike Force Braky arrested her following a traffic stop on the M1 Motorway.
The strike force, formed by the Wollongong Police District Drug Unit in March 2020, was established solely to investigate the supply of Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL) in the Wollongong area.
In documents tendered to the court, police allege they witnessed a Toyota Kluger traveling on the M1 at Figtree around 8.30pm on Thursday evening, noticing three women were in the vehicle, an alleged breach of the Public Health Act.
After pulling the vehicle over, police questioned Kakahi about why the trio was out and about. In the documents police allege they had “no reasonable excuse” as to why they were in the vehicle, and that the women were not family and did not reside in the same household.
As a result, the women were asked to exit the vehicle so police could conduct a search.
It’s alleged police immediately located a 375mL Voss water bottle, which allegedly contained a “clear glitter liquid”.
When asked what the substance was, Kakahi allegedly told police it was “drinks”, which is the street name used for GBL - or Gamma Butyrolactone.
Further searches allegedly uncovered two smaller sized glass bottles of the same sparkly fluid in the driver’s side door. In the documents, police estimate the bottles contained 200ml and 100ml respectively, with a field test confirming they all contained GBL.
Located in the centre console was a ‘glitter kit’, according to court documents, which allegedly contained two small tubs of gold and silver glitter.
Also within this kit was an alleged drug ledger, a set of digital scales, a measuring cup, small spoon and glass pipe. The kit was hidden inside a glittery purse, which Kahaki allegedly claimed ownership of.
In the documents, police allege the mum-of-three added the gold and silver glitter to the GBL as a “personal trademark”.
In the drug ledger, police allege she was given 2400mL of GBL earlier that day, for which she paid $1450.
“With the accused still owing $950, this indicates the accused is purchasing the drug for $1 per mill which is consistent with the price of GBL,” court documents said.
It’s alleged police also found a taser in the car, which none of the women claimed knowledge, or ownership of, as well as two mobile phones. In the documents, police allege a preliminary review of Kakahi’s phone identified several drug related messages and photos.
In the documents, police allege that while the amount of GBL was yet to be “accurately weighed” it was believed there was about 700 grams of the substance located in her vehicle.
“The 2400mL believed to have been obtained by the accused earlier in the night has a potential street value of more than $14,000,” police allege in court documents.
However, in arguing for his client’s release to bail, defence lawyer Matt Ward said the amount found in Kakahi’s car was in fact a lot less, and “below the commercial quantity”.
Mr Ward also raised concerns of Kakahi’s health, noting she had flu like symptoms and COVID-19 concerns.
Despite this, Magistrate Love refused the application for bail, noting the 37-year-old was on bail for other offences at the times.
The matter will return to court later this month.