Brooke Barnes accused of hiding meth and GHB beneath trap door at Mildura rental property

Police allegedly discovered hidden drugs and paraphernalia beneath a secret trap door during an early morning raid on a woman’s rental property.

Ms Barnes is accused of allegedly running a meth and GHB trafficking empire out of her rental property with her on again, off again partner. Picture: Generic

A Mildura woman allegedly ran a meth and GHB trafficking empire out of a trap door in one of the rooms of her rental with her on again, off again partner, a court has heard.

Brooke Barnes, 49, fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail after an early morning police raid on the rental Ms Barnes shared with her sometimes partner allegedly uncovered a cache of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The court heard Ms Barnes allegedly told police there were no drugs at the property when they arrived for the search at 3.35am on Wednesday.

Despite asserting there were no drugs at the address, police claimed they found 40 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of GHB, cannabis, scales, zip lock bags and numerous little plastic syringes.

The court heard Ms Barnes refused to give the police the pin code to her phone and it would need to be sent off to be analysed.

Magistrate Patrick Southey questioned whether it was realistic to expect Ms Barnes to stop taking drugs if she was granted bail.

Ms Barnes sat in the dock with her head in her hands during almost the entire bail application.

During a CISP assessment interview, Ms Barnes admitted to regularly consuming drugs, stating she smoked half a gram of meth daily and frequently used GHB, the court head.

Police opposed granting Ms Barnes bail, although they acknowledged CISP supervision could mitigate some associated risks.

Magistrate Patrick Southey questioned the practicality of expecting Ms Barnes to remain drug-free if released.

Speaking from the dock, Ms Barnes said, “I could have a wine to take the edge off … and I’ll just sleep. That’s what I have been doing in here, I haven’t had any for 24 hours.”

Ultimately, Mr Southey granted bail under stringent conditions. Ms Barnes was ordered to comply fully with CISP directions, remain drug-free, and adhere to a strict curfew.

She is scheduled to reappear in court on July 1.