Guildford: Shelly Zhuang accused of drug, fraud offences

A woman with a long “criminal history” is accused of possessing 100 ecstasy pills, cocaine, heroin and more than $160,000 in cash in a “sophisticated’’ operation.

Shelly Zhuang appeared in Parramatta Local Court on drug and fraud charges.

A pregnant Guildford woman previously jailed for supplying drugs is accused of fraud offences and possessing 100 ecstasy tablets, cocaine, heroin and $165,345 in cash in a “sophisticated’’ operation.

Shelly Zhuang, 32, was charged on Thursday after police swooped on her Railway Terrace apartment following covert surveillance as part of investigations into her alleged role in the supply and distribution of drugs across Sydney.

Police seized 215g of methylamphetamine, 44g (about 100 pills) of ecstasy, 21g of cocaine, 7g of heroin and $165,345 in $50 notes which are believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Court documents reveal police, which started the investigation in the middle of the year, also seized multiple fraudulent NSW driver’s licences and Medicare cards, and equipment such as a printer, used to create the fraudulent documents.

Zhuang was hit with multiple charges including three counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and possessing identity information to commit an indictable offence.

Shelly Zhuang’s lawyer applied for bail.

At Parramatta Local Court on Friday, a bail application was made for Zhuang, who was on a community release order for allegedly supplying methamphetamine and dealing with $7755 believed to be the proceeds of crime at Sydney Olympic Park in March.

Police prosecutor Guy Battin opposed bail for the March matters and the fresh charges after yesterday’s police raid and told the court no bail conditions could mitigate concerns over Zhuang reoffending.

“There’s a level of sophistication with devices used and a level of planning for the offences,’’ he said.

Zhuang’s lawyer AJ Karim said she was eight weeks pregnant and in a “perilous’’ situation. In his bail application, he said her friend would post a $50,000 surety.

Mr Karim conceded Zhuang’s “history’s not good’’ but said police surveillance over six weeks showing her and other people removing and adding items from a car, including depositing a resealable bag, in a Guildford carpark could indicate other “associates” were involved.

The court heard Zhuang has spent time in jail for supplying drugs and had a good record of attending court appearances.

Magistrate Robyn Denes told the court the investigation could become a joint criminal enterprise involving more charges, and refused Zhuang bail.

“In my view, on face value, it is a very strong prosecution case and there are some intricacies to it,’’ she said.

“I certainly agree there’s a risk for failing to appear (in court). The main concern is the committing of future serious offences and danger to the community but also interfering with witnesses and evidence.’’

The matter was adjourned to January 28.

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