Deloraine ice bust: Monique Yule Clark, Kylie Durban charged

Two Sydney women have been charged after officers doing a random vehicle stop in rural Tasmania uncovered an alleged major crime.

A random vehicle stop allegedly exposed two Sydney women’s efforts to smuggle ice worth more than $1.3 million and $757,000 cash into rural Tasmania.

Peakhurst woman Monique Clark, 44, and Padstow woman Kylie Durban, 48, were both charged by Tasmania Police with dealing with the suspected proceeds of crime and drug trafficking after Durban’s car was stopped in the small town of Deloraine on March 3.

A drug detector dog indicated drugs might be present in the vehicle after Durban was pulled over for a random breath test on the Bass Hwy and subsequently tested positive for cannabis.

“Durban made admissions to smoking cannabis two days prior,” police allege in facts tendered to Launceston Magistrates Court.

Riverwood woman Monique Clark.

A subsequent search of Durban’s black Holden Cruze allegedly uncovered $9000 cash in a shoe, a black hard shell suitcase containing $390,000 cash, and a spare tyre containing $358,000 cash and 1.302kg of methylamphetamine.

“1302g of methylamphetamine has a potential street value of approximately $1,302,000 if sold at $100 per 0.1g, or a one point deal,” police allege in facts tendered to the court.

“The quantity of methylamphetamine located secreted within the black Holden Cruze is 52 times the trafficable quantity.”

In a subsequent police interview Clark – also known by her married name as Monique Yule – denied any knowledge of the ice in the tyre or the cash in the suitcase.

Durban allegedly admitted knowledge of the cash in the shoe and said the car belonged to her.

“However, she stated that a female known to her but who she refused to identify had been driving her vehicle on the morning of March 3,” police allege in facts tendered to the court.

The pair were both booked to board the Spirit of Tasmania – which transports travellers and their vehicles from mainland Australia to Tasmania – only hours after they were arrested.

Clark’s solicitor Ahmed Dib. Picture: Carla Hildebrandt

Clark enlisted Sydney solicitor Ahmed Dib to make an application for her bail, which was subsequently granted in the Launceston Supreme Court in April.

Clark has pleaded not guilty and will strenuously fight the charges.

“I accept that there are serious allegations against my client and there’s an inherent risk when someone charged with serious offences comes before this court,” Mr Dib told the court.

“But there is no positive evidence even held in the current case at its highest in relation to Ms Clark knowing what was contained within the boot.”

However, Durban’s bail was refused by Justice Robert Pearce.

“Drugs were found in her car, she was the driver, she disclaimed any knowledge of them,” Mr Pearce said.

“But given that she had been in Tasmania for a period of time at least, I would treat with some scepticism the suggestion that somehow unknown to her drugs and cash would be placed in the car without her knowledge in the locations in which they were found.”

In a statement, Commander Stuart Wilkinson from Tasmania Police said the massive drug seizure would send a strong message to anyone considering bringing drugs into Tasmania.

“Tasmania Police is committed to preventing the importation and distribution of illicit substances in our state,” Commander Wilkinson said.

“We work closely with our partners to ensure our air, sea and mail corridors are not exploited by those wanting to profit from drug distribution.”