Young women are being ‘groomed’ by crime bosses to smuggle drugs into music festivals, according to police.
They are chosen for their clean criminal records and are convinced to hide drugs with the promise of quick money.
Drug and firearms squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain told the Daily Telegraph the women involved should be prepared to face the consequences for their actions.
‘But at the end of the day, if they are caught, they will be discarded by them like pieces of rubbish,’ he said.
Young women are being ‘groomed’ by crime bosses to smuggle drugs into music festivals, according to police
They are chosen for their clean criminal records and are convinced to hide drugs with the promise of quick money (Pictured: Trisha Nguyen, left, and a friend)
Trisha Nguyen, 19, appeared in Burwood Local Court on Thursday, charged with supplying an indictable quantity of drugs and drug possession
Nine women were arrested and accused of smuggling MDMA hidden inside condoms into the Midnight Mafia Music Festival at Homebush in Sydney’s west in May.
Trisha Nguyen, 19, appeared in Burwood Local Court charged with supplying an indictable quantity of drugs and drug possession.
Police will allege the women were mules paid by drug dealers, with some having hundreds of capsules concealed inside them.
Speaking in general, Detective Chief Inspector Gus Viera said drug dealers sought out young women to do their dirty work.
‘They meet through friends, they think it’s a quick profit being paid on the night and that will be the end of it, well it won’t. We’re asking their friends and family to question them before they go out,’ he said.
Grace Poo, a 21-year-old marketing and social media officer allegedly had 294 grams of MDMA within 1,600 capsules at Midnight Mafia, police claim in bail documents.
Nine women were arrested and accused of smuggling MDMA hidden inside condoms into the Midnight Mafia Music Festival at Homebush in Sydney’s west in May
Police arrested Nguyen (left) at the Midnight Mafia Music Festival at Homebush, in Sydney’s west, as she was making her way into the venue
Helen Tran, 21, is also accused of concealing drugs internally and trying to enter the festival.
Yen Nhi Tina Pham, 18, allegedly had 28.53 grams of MDMA inside 181 capsules when she was stopped by police at the festival.
Outside court, Nguyen, who hid her face behind her friend’s woollen scarf, did not comment on the charges.
She must report to police every Monday as part of her bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned until next month.
Police said Nguyen had ‘200 MDMA capsules wrapped in condoms and hidden in her person’
Outside court, Nguyen, who hid her face behind her friend’s woollen scarf, did not comment on the charges
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.