Cohealth worker Ashley Carpenter implicated in George Kolias’ alleged South Yarra meth racket

A Melbourne health worker is part of a convicted drug dealer’s alleged meth trafficking racket, a court has been told.

A Melbourne health worker is involved in a convicted drug dealer’s alleged South Yarra meth racket, a court has heard.

Cohealth specialist drug support employee Ashley Carpenter was implicated in the alleged racket after he provided a report in support of drug trafficker’s George Kolias bail application.

Kolias, 47, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he was charged with meth possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Prahran Divisional Response Unit Senior Constable Eliza Van Der Leeuw told the court police disputed the “validity” of Mr Carpenter’s intended evidence.

Senior Constable Van Der Leeuw told the court Mr Carpenter was present when police executed a search warrant at Kolias’ South Yarra property on April 1.

“Ashley Carpenter from cohealth was present at the address as well …,” she said.

“He was found in possession of some drug paraphernalia in the form of syringes which he stated was for an appointment that he had later in the day but he did also disclose to police that he was a regular drug user.

“Since the date of Kolias being remanded as well we have received intelligence holdings from a community source stating that Ashley Carpenter is involved in the drug trafficking trade in particular related to Kolias.

“We have also received information that Carpenter is potentially living at the (South Yarra) residence … with Kolias as well …

“There are concerns if Carpenter is going to be providing information to the court which relates to Kolias receiving bail then that information is potentially corrupt because of their personal relationship …

“The intelligence holdings we have received since the third of April up until 10 days ago is that Carpenter is directly involved in drug trafficking with Kolias.”

Senior Constable Eliza Van Der Leeuw said police were “surprised” to receive an email from Carpenter which provided information related to Kolias’ recovery and treatment.

Theo Magazis, for Kolias, queried if Carpenter had been charged or if police’s “concerns” had been raised with his employer.

“We are not alleging that he Carpenter has been charged (with trafficking),” Senior Constable Eliza Van Der Leeuw said.

Senior Constable Eliza Van Der Leeuw clarified it was “irrelevant” to the bail application if Carpenter’s employers had been informed of police concerns.

“I’ll decide what’s relevant,” Magistrate Hardy said.

“I wouldn’t be able to rely upon anything from Carpenter unless he is available to be called,” Magistrate Hardy said.

“I’m not going to force him (Carpenter) to come … he may or may not wish to give any evidence …

“I am always sceptical, to say the least, about being told that some community resource has provided information, it could be anybody, and they may be reliable, and they may be anything but, and I have no idea about that so I have to be very cautious about that.”

Kolias had faced a meth trafficking charge but Mr Magazis indicated that charge was swapped to possesion for the purpose of trafficking.

The court heard Kolias, who also allegedly nabbed with Valium, $1460 cash and suspected stolen bottle of Beluga Gold Live vodka, was handed an 18-month community correction order on appeal in the County Court on March 3 after he was convicted of trafficking meth.

Magistrate Hardy said he “could hardly be confident” with Kolias’ compliance with Corrections since going on the order.

Kolias, who appeared via videolink from Fulham Correctional, will face court again on June 18.

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