Former Gold Coast lawyer Briana Ioannides back behind bars on fresh charges

A former Gold Coast criminal lawyer and convicted drug trafficker has been locked back up and is now facing close to 20 charges. Find out what happened in court.

Former Gold Coast lawyer Briana Ioannides. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Former Gold Coast criminal lawyer and convicted drug trafficker Briana Ioannides is back behind bars after being charged with a fresh stack of offences.

She appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, flashing a quick smile at her partner seated in the courtroom gallery as she was brought in from the watchhouse.

Ms Ioannides faces more than a dozen charges including supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, supplying a relevant substance or thing, and possessing items used or suspected of having been used in the commission of an offence.

The 34-year-old allegedly dealt drugs and similar contraband on several occasions between May 19 and October 18.

Disgraced Gold Coast lawyer Briana Ioannides arrives at Brisbane court to face drug charges. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

It is alleged she was then caught with drugs – including cocaine and methylamphetamines – and drug paraphernalia at a Nerang home.

She arrested on Thursday morning, with police allegedly finding meth at the same address.

Ms Ioannides is also charged with possessing the same drug and beta blocker medication Propranolol when she was stopped by police in Southport on October 3, allegedly obstructing officers twice during the incident.

She pleaded guilty to a count of drug driving in relation to the same stop when she fronted court this week, after testing positive to having meth in her system.

Defence lawyer Joshua Tiffin, of Jacobson Mahony Lawyers, said Ms Ioannides used drugs several days prior and thought she would be safe to drive that day.

Former lawyer Briana Ioannides outside Southport courthouse. Picture: Jeremy Pierce

Mr Tiffin said since her release from jail in 2021, the Southport woman had found full-time work as an acquisitions manager for a property firm.

“To use her words, she’s been doing what she can to rehabilitate but just had a lapse in judgment,” he said.

Ms Ioannides was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for three months.

The court was told she would remain in custody on a return-to-prison warrant, with her remaining matters adjourned to December 7. She may apply for bail at the next mention.

No other pleas have been entered.

Briana Ioannides. Picture: Facebook

The ex-lawyer was struck off the state’s roll of legal practitioners in 2020 after being convicted of drug trafficking and other offences.

She became eligible for parole in February, 2021.