Restaurant worker Jessica Mahinay jailed for drug trafficking

A former Thai restaurant worker was dealing meth to Mildura locals, using an encrypted messaging service to move the drugs, as well as delivering to users despite being disqualified from driving.

Jessica Mahinay was sentenced to prison on drug trafficking charges.

A former Thai restaurant worker was dealing meth to Mildura locals, using an encrypted messaging service to move the drugs, as well as delivering to users despite being disqualified from driving.

30-year-old Jessica Mahinay was, on Tuesday, sentenced to two and a half months in jail after police found methylamphetamine, more than $2000 and ammunition at her property.

Mahinay was driving to complete deals around Mildura without a license and leaving the drugs for her customers to find when she was unable to meet them.

“It’s in the chair, inside the zipper, I put blue tape on it,” she replied to an encrypted message to one customer looking to buy $50 of the drug.

“This is as good as a burner talking here lol,” was another of the messages Mahinay sent when setting up a drug deal for half a gram of meth on the encrypted messaging app Signal.

Police discovered the incriminating messages after analysing Mahinay’s phone when they combed her Mildura home in early December 2023.

Along with the messages, officers also found eight small zip lock bags containing methylamphetamine, deal bags and scales at the property.

Despite offering no comment during her recorded police interview, Ms Mahinay pleaded guilty to the charges, something Magistrate Patrick Southey took into account when sentencing her.

“I take into account, in your favour, you pleaded guilty … had you not pleaded guilty it would have been four months imprisonment,” Magistrate Patrick Southey told Mahinay.

“You’ve got the foundations of a happy life, good work experience, work ethic, family,” he continued.

“Having said that, trafficking in methylamphetamine is a very serious offence … I have to send a message not only to you, but others that if you traffic in such a hideous drug you can expect jail.”

Mahinay also received a fine for the ammunitions charge and will spend twelve months on a community corrections order following her release from prison.