Red Cliffs man Trevor Nimmo claims alleged meth lab in apartment was for making essential oils

A Red Cliffs man has claimed that a lab police claim he uses to manufacture methamphetamine was actually for making essential oils, a court has heard.

Police allegedly uncovered a clandestine meth lab at a Red Cliffs address after a Thursday morning raid. Picture: iStock.

A Red Cliffs man has claimed he was using the makeshift lab in his apartment for making essential oils and not methamphetamine as police allege, a court has heard.

Trevor Nimmo, 39, fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail on serious charges, including possession of equipment for trafficking a drug of dependence and breaching a personal safety intervention order.

Police executed an early morning raid on Thursday, forcing entry into Mr Nimmo’s apartment, where they allegedly found an operational drug lab in his bedroom along with chemicals believed to be precursors for manufacturing methamphetamine.

The court heard officers allegedly seized approximately two to three points of ice and a significant amount of liquid suspected to be methamphetamine.

Officers allegedly seized approximately two to three points of ice and a significant amount of liquid suspected to be methamphetamine. Picture: Generic

Mr Nimmo and another person, believed to be his ex-partner, were arrested during the raid.

Police requested PINs for Mr Nimmo’s electronic devices. He provided most but refused access to his mobile phone, reportedly telling officers, “good luck”.

Police claimed Mr Nimmo said the lab was for making essential oils and not for manufacturing drugs.

The second person who was arrested, believed to be Mr Nimmo’s ex partner, allegedly confirmed to officers he sold meth, and she got them from him.

Investigators returned to the address on Friday and allegedly found various other drugs and pills.

Police claimed the Red Cliffs address would likely be condemned due to the sheer amount of chemicals used at the premises.

The court heard Mr Nimmo allegedly contacted an underaged girl nearly 800 times via phone call and text message. Picture: Generic

Further allegations revealed in court accused Mr Nimmo of having a sexual relationship with an underaged girl in exchange for drugs.

Mr Nimmo’s lawyer Sasha Tuliakiono highlighted that no charges of a sexual nature between her client and the young girl were on foot and with police in possession of his phone, he would be unlikely to be able to contact the girl.

Police claimed Mr Nimmo and the young girl had been in face-to-face contact as recently as this week.

Police executed the raid on Mr Nimmo’s Red Cliffs address early on Thursday morning. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Mr Nimmo requested bail at his mother’s home in Mildura, but she expressed being “really torn” about the arrangement, stating she would only accept him for “a few days”.

Ms Tuliakiono highlighted Mr Nimmo’s deteriorating mental health in custody, emphasising his limited criminal history and disability.

Despite acknowledging possible court delays, Magistrate Patrick Southey refused bail, disturbed by allegations Mr Nimmo supplied drugs to a vulnerable minor.

“I’m sorry Mr Nimmo … when you combine the allegations you have been manufacturing drugs with the information you might have been supplying a vulnerable person with drugs it seems to me the risk you pose to the community is (too high),” Mr Southey said.

Mr Nimmo is next slated to appear before the court on August 6.