Accused Melbourne explosives-hoarder Zarna Barbar granted bail at Supreme Court
A 26-year-old Melbourne escort who allegedly kept industrial explosives and detonators inside a suburban garage has applied to the Supreme Court to get out of jail.
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A young Melbourne escort and alleged drug trafficker accused of keeping industrial explosives in a suburban garage has been released from prison.
Zarna Barbar, 26, applied for bail at the Supreme Court on Friday after being arrested on May 28.
On that day, detectives searched a home in Cranbourne and discovered about 15kg of explosives, more than 40kg of precursor chemicals used to manufacture explosives, and more than 60 detonation devices.
Ms Barbar was arrested at the scene and charged with 10 offences, the most serious of which Justice Beach said was the alleged trafficking of a non-commercial amount of 1,4-butanediol.
Ms Barbar was refused bail at a magistrates’ court in June and applied for the matter to be heard at the Supreme Court.
On Friday, prosecutors raised concerns that, should she be released into residential rehabilitation, there would be insufficient oversight of Ms Barbar to prevent the possible obstruction of justice, namely by her making phone calls.
The court heard part of that concern stemmed from a conversation Ms Barbar had with her brother from prison, which appeared to suggest a willingness to continue offending or get in the way of court proceedings.
But Justice Beach said Ms Barbar was “no criminal mastermind” and if convicted on the charges was unlikely to be sent to prison given her age and lack of prior offending.
Ms Barbar was granted bail and must attend a 90-day residential rehabilitative program before she moves to an address in Hampton Park.
She may only possess one phone and must provide her number to the police, to whom she also has to report daily.
Ms Barbar will next attend Frankston Magistrates’ Court on July 18.
The court heard the explosives found in the Cranbourne raid had been destroyed or disposed of.
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