Accused Melbourne Airbnb meth dealer Tess Rowlatt pleads not guilty to trafficking drugs

The mum of an ex-marketing guru who allegedly sold drugs from Airbnb properties told the court her daughter will work on the family sheep farm.

Accused drug trafficker Tess Rowlatt pleaded not guilty to trafficking drugs.

A former marketing guru who allegedly operated a large-scale Airbnb drug racket has been given a second chance after she was jailed for smoking vapes and arguing with rehab residents, a court heard.

Tess Rowlatt, 33, faced the County Court on Tuesday in a fresh bid to be released to a Bendigo drug rehab facility after her bail was revoked on July 4 last year.

Rowlatt, who previously pleaded not guilty to 70 charges including trafficking a commercial quantity of meth, allegedly sold 2kg of meth and 45kg of 1,4 butanediol.

Rowlatt, who appeared via videolink on remand from Dame Phyllis Frost, allegedly flipped multiple ounce-bag drug deals while shifting between 16 separate Airbnb properties, including the View Hotel St Kilda and Upper West Side in the city.

It’s alleged Rowlatt stayed at the properties for durations ranging from a night to a few days between July 23 and October 21, 2021.

Rowlatt, who was also charged with trafficking heroin and a commercial quantity of 1,4 butanediol, allegedly slung meth, GHB and heroin ranging back to January 2021.

Drug Squad detectives moved in and arrested Rowlatt at her Upper West Side Spencer St apartment on October 21.

Police pounced after the university marketing grad allegedly facilitated a $15,000 drug deal between her supplier and a buyer.

Rowlatt had her bail revoked in July 2021.

Major Drug Squad detective Senior Constable Scott Davies told an earlier court hearing Rowlatt left the apartment and returned with the drugs just before police swooped.

Sen-Constable Davies also alleged Rowlatt booked and secured her Airbnbs with bogus IDs and forged essential worker permits.

Investigators, who seized Rowlatt’s devices, alleged there was evidence she made multiple drug transactions, including a single deal worth $34,000.

Sen-Constable Davies told the court Rowlatt allegedly used payment applications Cash Lender and Saldo as “digital tick books”.

Investigators alleged Rowlatt used street slang for drugs and weights, including cues, balls and bags and hop (heroin) and juice (GHB).

Sen-Constable Davies said a “bag” denoted an ounce of meth.

Rowlatt also allegedly used bogus IDs to take out bank loans and buy mobile phones and police found an image of a gun on her phone, the court was told.

Rowlatt was later granted bail to reside at a drug rehab facility but this bail was revoked in July.

Sen-Constable Davies told the court on January 17 that Rowlatt’s bail was revoked after he and other police had discussions with drug rehab staff.

The court heard Rowlatt was booted from the facility for allegedly smoking vapes and arguing with drug rehab residents.

Jonathan Rattray, for Rowlatt, said his client would live at a more “suitable” drug rehab facility if released on bail again.

Rowlatt allegedly sold meth and bute.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court was previously told Rowlatt’s alleged drug transactions found on her tick book totalled more than $203,000.

Rowlatt’s mum Kim told the court on Tuesday if her daughter successfully completed the 12-week rehabilitation program in Bendigo she will live and work at their family farm.

The marketing graduate will use her expertise in building their online business while also psychically working on the farm which produces luxury yarn.

“Tess will live with us working on the farm and help out with the daily chores as well as building our online business with her marketing skills” Mrs Rowlett said.

Rowlatt was seen wiping her eyes as her mum recounted their communication breakdown during the of her alleged offending.

Mrs Rowlatt told the court she would report any bail breaches to the informant and would take her to get drug tested until her trial begins which is expected to be sometime next year.

Judge Angela Ellis said her previous attempt at bail was “less than glowing” as her “defiant” attitude toward the program had a “negative impact on other residents”.

“Clearly last time unsuccessful ... she was defiant, disengaged and it goes beyond simply wanting to smoke or vape,” Ms Ellis said.

“It’s not an opportunity for the accused to pick and chose the rehab facility to her liking ... it’s not a spa retreat — it’s designed to assist with a drug addiction.”

Ms Ellis said the prosecution's case was “strong” but the time Rowlatt has already spent on remand and the delay for the trial to begin meant exceptional circumstances could be found.

She also said if Rowlatt doesn’t engage with the program this time, she will be “hard pressed” to make another application for bail.

Rowlatt must abide by strict bail conditions and is scheduled to re-appear fortnightly before Ms Ellis.

Rowlatt claimed, via social media, she graduated from Monash University with a bachelor of business majoring in marketing before holding sales roles within multiple companies.

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