Julie Da Souza: Glam Brazilian enters pleas on fraud, drugs charges

Strike Force detectives allege the aspiring model accepted payments to take responsibility for driving offences as part of a drug supply ring in Sydney’s inner suburbs.

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An amateur model has denied accusations she accepted payments of cash and a designer handbag to take responsibility for traffic offences to aid members of a major Sydney drug ring.

Julie Gessica Da Souza pleaded not guilty to six charges before Waverley Local Court on Thursday, including two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, dealing with the proceeds of crime and drug supply respectively.

Julie Da Souza, arrested by Strike Force Petal in relation to an ongoing investigation into drug supply in Sydney.

The glamorous Brazilian national remains behind bars at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre following a dramatic arrest by Strike Force Petal detectives at her Coogee unit on February 6.

Usually one to smile for the camera, footage from the arrest showed the 26-year-old being marched to a police vehicle wearing grey sports leggings with a woollen jumper pulled over her face.

She has been refused bail.

Julie Da Souza usually spends her time uploading photos to social media.

Da Souza appeared worse for wear when she appeared on screen in court having swapped the trademark swim gear she is seen wearing in a series of social media posts for prison greens.

Her lawyer Stephen Modder entered pleas on her behalf before the matter was adjourned until April 2.

Police will allege in court the waitress was being paid to take responsibility for other drivers’ demerit points and penalty notices between May and September 2019.

She was keen not to have her face shown during her arrest. Picture: NSW Police

Court documents allege Da Souza was given a black Gucci handbag and $300 in cash after falsely receiving penalty notices for two other people between May 14 and November 26, 2019.

Strike Force Petal was formed in December 2018 to investigate the supply of drugs in the Redfern and inner city area.

More than 40 people have been arrested as part of Strike Force Petal’s investigation. Picture: NSW Police

The ongoing investigation has so far nabbed more than 40 people, with De Souza allegedly coming to the attention of detectives.

She did not apply for bail on Thursday and it was formally refused by Magistrate Alison Hawkins.

She will return to court in April. Picture: NSW Police