By Erin Pearson
A barrister charged with drug trafficking was allegedly found with an Aladdin’s cave of drugs and paraphernalia inside his $800-a-week apartment with bay views.
Anthony Grant, 44, was allegedly running a trap house-style illegal pharmacy inside his 16th floor apartment, where police uncovered erectile dysfunction medication, an array of prescription drugs and an imitation penis, a court heard.
Police allege they found drugs and paraphernalia in barrister Anthony Grant’s apartment.Credit: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
Grant, a former Office of Public Prosecutions lawyer who works as a criminal barrister out of Owen Dixon Chambers, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to apply for bail for the second time since his arrest.
Detective Senior Constable Miranda Lord said that on August 8, police executed a search warrant on Grant’s privately rented Queens Road, Melbourne, apartment. After those inside initially delayed police, upon entry they found a significant amount of what they believed were drugs, including dozens of packets of prescription medication, and paraphernalia.
Lord said they also uncovered more than 20 bottles of what police allege to be 1,4-Butanediol – also known as GHB – alongside suspected MDMA, ritalin and magic mushrooms. They also found more than a dozen electronic devices including mobile phones and laptops.
Photos shown to the court showed the one-bedroom apartment in disarray, with a smoking pipe next to a bed and zip-lock bags filled with pills.
Grant is facing 13 charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol and possessing other drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy.Credit: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
In the kitchen cupboard, police said they located a fake penis with a clear bag attached, which officers allege can be used to fake drug tests.
The drugs seized included 12.05 litres of 1,4-Butanediol, 11 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of MDMA. There were also 355 sildenafil tablets and 322 sildenafil jelly packets – a schedule 4 poison used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Lord said that during the search, Grant claimed legal professional privilege over his partner’s phone, acting as her lawyer, and later refused to provide police with access codes to his mobile.
His girlfriend, Atousa Haghighi, living with him at the time remains in custody and is due to return to court in November.
The drugs seized included 12.05 litres of 1,4-Butanediol, 11 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of MDMA, a court heard.Credit: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
In opposing bail, Lord said police feared for the public’s safety if Grant was released because he was known to drive cars and electric scooters while unlicensed.
Lord said Grant’s licence was cancelled in 2023 for exceeding the drug and alcohol limit while driving, and he was again caught driving under the influence of drugs in March.
“There was drug paraphernalia absolutely everyone in the residence,” Lord said.
“We located a prosthetic penis ... with a translucent bag attached …used for a way around urine screenings.
Police said they located a fake penis that officers allege could be used to fake drug tests.Credit: Melbourne Magistrates’ Court
“As a criminal barrister, he holds a position of standing in the community and is therefore trusted and respected. He may use this to his benefit to continue his offending.”
Grant repeatedly interrupted Friday’s hearing, tapping on the glass and waving his hand to get the attention of his lawyer, Richard Jakobsen.
Court records show Grant is facing 13 charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol and possessing other drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy.
In arguing for bail, his lawyer said Grant had been using drugs at an increasing rate since a traumatic event, and argued there was little evidence to support the allegation he had been trafficking any substances.
His practising certificate had also been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, Jakobsen said.
“My client has provided an alternative that could exonerate him,” he said.
“The conditions in custody are beyond onerous due to his previous occupation with the OPP and as a barrister. He’s in solitary confinement. An eye-opening experience for him.
“He is ashamed to find himself in the position he is in, and would be a fool to put himself in the position again.”
Magistrate Timothy Bourke adjourned his decision on bail until Monday.
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