A reality TV star has spent almost two months in jail after he was accused of involvement in an international drug supply and money laundering syndicate.
Marjorie Griffiths went from appearing on television in the latest season of “The Bachelor” to appearing in court after she was arrested for drug supply and money laundering.
The 26-year-old was surprised by heavily armed specialist police officers and arrested during a dawn raid at his home in Umina Beach, Australia, on October 26.
He was charged with supplying 2.2 pounds of cocaine to an undercover police officer on March 7 before supplying 2.2 pounds of MDMA to an unknown person in June.
Employees of the cleaning company were also accused of knowingly dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds of crime.
Police allege he was a key player in a criminal network that supplied large quantities of drugs before converting the proceeds of illegal drug sales through international syndicates.
Australian reality television star Marjorie Griffiths is accused of involvement in an international drug supply and money laundering syndicate. Marjorie Griffiths/Facebook
On Wednesday, his lawyer James Lang argued there was no evidence his client knew what he was transporting when he allegedly followed instructions to take the bags and boxes.
He claimed there was “no evidence” Griffiths knew who he was seeing or why on the seven occasions he was charged with supplying drugs or laundering cash.
“(The Crown has) surveillance evidence consistent with the circumstantial case … that Ms. Griffiths had taken packages, either in the form of boxes or bags, which contained various means of either illicit drugs … or cash,” Lang said.
Griffiths was arrested on Oct. 26. 2023. NSW Police
At the highest level, he said the police case described Griffiths as “a courier” who “served the function of someone with a higher criminal record.”
Crown Prosecutor Jade Pearson said the investigation into the crime syndicate was ongoing, and some key elements of the summary against Griffiths still needed to be assembled.
Among them was the statement of an undercover agent, who the court was told received 2.2 pounds of cocaine directly from the reality TV personality on March 7.
Pearson said police were still trying to unlock two phones that were in Griffiths’ possession at the time of his arrest that could also contain useful information.
Griffiths was a contestant on the tenth season of the Australian version of “The Bachelor”. Marjorie Griffiths/Facebook
The 26-year-old man allegedly failed to hand over the PIN code to the electronic device after police instructions.
Pearson admitted there was “insufficient” evidence from phone taps or listening devices to assist the crown in establishing knowledge of Griffith’s alleged offences.
He also told the court there was no forensic evidence linking the reality TV personality to any of the items seized by police during the raid, including cash and drugs.
“At this point, it is accepted that it is not the crown’s strongest case,” admitted the prosecutor.
Lang told the court the complexity of the case and the ongoing nature of the investigation meant Griffiths could wait on remand for a longer period than he would serve if convicted.
Griffiths is accused of supplying 2.2 pounds of cocaine to an undercover police officer on March 7 and supplying 2.2 pounds of MDMA to an unknown person in June. NSW Police
“It is not a simple matter that will be resolved quickly,” he said, noting that it had been agreed that the matter would remain in court in 2025.
Judge Julia Lonergan agreed that it was “inevitable” there would be a delay of at least 18 months in the prosecution of the case because of the “ongoing” nature of the extensive investigation.
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“I accept the crown’s case is still not strong and has gaps in it in the form of the absence of anything that convincingly shows the applicant knew what he was transporting,” he said.
Judge Lonergan granted Griffith bail with many strict bail conditions including electronic monitoring, abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and a strict curfew.
He is also prohibited from owning internet-capable devices and must have only one phone at any time.
The former “Bachelor” contestant wore a green prison T-shirt and shorts and had an anxious expression throughout the hour-long bail hearing.
His furrowed brow didn’t ease when he was told he would be released into his parents’ custody.
The blonde beauty was paired with Thomas Malucelli, a 35-year-old restaurant manager, on the 10th season of the popular reality TV series, “The Bachelor.” He left the show after 12 weeks.
His friend, Molly Rosewarn, was also arrested during the raid at Griffiths’ home.
He was charged with possession of an illegal drug and supplying more than a chargeable quantity of an illegal drug.
Their close relationship has gone viral on social media, with Griffiths sharing numerous photos and videos of her cuddling Rosewarn, who she calls “my baby girl.”
The best friend and former housemate will be banned from contacting each other under Griffiths’ bail conditions.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
