Instagram model to enter plea on cocaine, MDMA charges
An Instagram model and “bubbly” casino cocktail waitress will face court after allegedly being found with cocaine, MDMA and cash.
A jetsetting Instagram model and casino hostess will enter a plea on alleged cocaine supply and MDMA possession charges, a court has heard.
Veronica Zinger, 23, a former private schoolgirl who had 80,000 Instagram followers and promotes herself as “actor, extra, model, influencer, dancer”, is due in court tomorrow on four drug-related charges.
Ms Zinger, who is also a gym instructor and casino cocktail waitress, was pulled over in a vehicle at Sydney’s exclusive Barangaroo precinct around 4.30pm last November 29.
Police allegedly found four bags of cocaine in her vehicle, as well as 1.1g of MDMA and $2150 in cash.
One of Ms Zinger’s promotional pages says she has a “very vibrant and bubbly personality”, has done TV extra work and “would be very keen to land some feature roles”.
Ms Zinger’s Instagram page, which featured images of her photo shoots and a world travel series of herself against scenes in Italy, Greece and the Middle East, has since been shut down.
She was one of 84 people arrested on alleged cocaine charges in a citywide police crackdown on the Christmas party drug market in November and December.
In the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Registrar James Wiseman said Ms Zinger, of Rosebery, who has retained leading Sydney lawyers Paul Kenny & Associates, may enter a plea tomorrow.
She is charged with two counts of supply cocaine, one count of possessing MDMA and one count of deal with proceeds of crime money, property worth more than $1000.
Police arrested dozens of other young people allegedly caught red-handed in the largest targeted drugs raids of the last two years.
Officers say they are amazed at how brazen people doing alleged drug transactions in open crowded locations have become.
OTHERS ON COCAINE CHARGES
Among those arrested for alleged cocaine supply or possession, are a pregnant 24-year-old, a taxi driver and a RAAF member aged 23.
Last week, 25-year-old Molipopo Leota pleaded guilty to having more than 13 grams of cocaine and $1600 in his car while driving a Toyota Hilux around the streets of Sydney’s CBD last November.
Police arrested Leota after searching a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place on November 29, finding more than 13 grams of cocaine and cash in the vehicle.
He will be sentenced in April.
Taxi driver Camille Daoud will appear in court next week charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and dealing with property proceeds of crime.
Police allege they stopped Mr Daoud’s taxi on Lime Street, Barangaroo, on November 30 last year and found two mobile phones, $3400 cash and more than 13 grams of cocaine in a hidden compartment.
It is the largest number of arrests in one operational phase since the NSW Police launched Strike Force Northrop two years ago.
Northrop seized more than 350 grams of cocaine, plus MDMA, cannabis and cash in targeted raids over three weeks in November and December ahead of the festive season.
With assistance from detector dogs, police conducted raids in Sydney’s inner city suburbs, the eastern suburbs, the inner west and the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south.
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Less than two hours later, police arrested a 29-year-old man in the city after he allegedly drove his vehicle towards a plain-clothed officer.
After locating $2650 in cash, police charged the man with supply prohibited drug, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, police pursuit not stop drive recklessly, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
At 7pm the next day, police stopped a 25-year-old driver in Cronulla and allegedly found $2970 cash, four mobile phones, plus more than 13 grams of cocaine in an energy drink can. The driver and a 24-year-old pregnant woman were charged with supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and deal with property proceeds of crime.
“Officers were astounded by how brazen some of these alleged drug transactions have become, often taking place in highly-visible and crowded locations in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs,” Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said.
“This operation once again shows that cocaine supply and possession is not limited to one specific group of people, with several individuals from well-regarded professions in the community among those now before the courts.”
Among others arrested were real estate agent Alex Papadimatos, 22, charged with supply 10g of cocaine, who will face court this month.
Chief Insp Bell said detectives from Northrop would now target bigger players.
“Those who continue to flout the law should know that these operations will continue, and those involved will be charged and put before the courts,” he said.