An Illawarra couple accused of supplying GBL and methamphetamine to street-level dealers as part of a drug syndicate operating throughout the Illawarra will remain behind bars until at least September.
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Emily Provost and Aaron Fairbairn are both facing multiple drug supply charges amid allegations the pair was part of the organised syndicate, which allegedly supplied GBL, commonly known as "liquid ecstasy", and meth to drug-hungry users.
Provost broke down in tears when Magistrate Claire Girotto refused her bail application in Wollongong Local Court on Friday, noting the case against her appeared strong.
"I can't believe these charges....I'm not responsible for anything I'm accused of," Provost said, sobbing loudly as she appeared in court via video link from the holding cells below the courthouse.
Less than 10 minutes later, Fairbairn was also remanded in custody without bail.
He too appeared distressed, asking Magistrate Girotto to "find it in [her] heart" to release him, before saying "who is going to look after my dogs....show some faith please....I won't do this again".
Two co-accused, Clem Tartaro and Bradley Murray, also fronted court on Friday and were refused bail.
Police will allege Provost and Tartaro were the up-line suppliers of GBL and ice respectively to several local street dealers.
Murray was identified in court papers as one of Provost's regular customers.
Documents tendered to the court reveal police set up Strike Force Cohen in June this year to investigate the supply of GBL and ice in the region.
Detectives used physical and covert surveillance to monitor several members of the group, including Murray, who they allege sold drugs on a daily basis to a wide customer base.
It is alleged Murray received payment from his customers through electronic transfer website such as PayID.
Police will allege they recorded Provost, Murray, Fairbairn and Tartaro speaking "openly" both between themselves and to clients about drug weights and pricing, as well as meeting locations to make certain exchanges.
Court documents said police recorded more than 750 messages or phone calls between Provost and Murray alone between July 16 and August 6, the large majority of which were allegedly about the supply of GBL and ice.
Meanwhile, police claim Fairbairn assisted Provost in her venture by supplying drugs to another street-level buyer, as well as allegedly carrying out his own mini-business.
Police will allege Fairbairn supplied multiple customers with a total of 4.25g of ice between July 16 and July 29. Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of almost $5,000.
He is also accused of supplying 850ml of GBL over a two-day period around the same time.
Both Provost and Fairbarn were subject to a vehicle stop by police on August 2, during which time police allegedly found 120ml of GBL.
Fairbairn was given a notice to attend court but both were allowed to leave the scene.
Police subsequently recorded a conversation between Fairbairn and Murray in which they spoke about the vehicle stop, having "G" found on them, and the fact police had failed to find a quantity of ice that Provost had allegedly hidden inside her vagina.
Provost, Tartaro and Fairbarn were arrested during a series of raids carried out by police on Thursday, while Murray was arrested on Friday afternoon.
Provost is facing 8 drug supply charges, Fairbairn has 11 charges, Tartaro is up on 14 charges and Murray is facing 21 charges.
Each of the cases will return to court at a later date.
