A PROLIFIC Warrnambool ice dealer’s mobile phone rang 100 times and received 20 text messages in an hour after she was caught by police.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chantelle Dart, 33, of Balmoral Road, was jailed for at least 13 months after pleading guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week to trafficking crystal methamphetamine and cannabis, possessing weapons, possessing ice, committing serious offences while on bail, and dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
In April Dart received a 100-day jail stint and a community corrections order for ice trafficking, but was back dealing drugs within days of being released.
Police said that just after midnight on August 22 officers intercepted a Holden sedan in Fitzroy Road, Warrnambool, and found two deal bags on the floor and ice under the centre console ashtray.
Officers also uncovered syringes, which Dart tried to grab, as well as a black flick-knife in a handbag.
Another woman in the car removed a SIM card from a phone, put it in her mouth, chewed and swallowed it.
While on bail for that offending, Dart was intercepted by police driving south in Kelp Street while using a mobile phone at 4.40pm on September 4.
A search found $515 in cash, six mobile phones, another SIM card and a tomahawk.
On the phones police found a large amount of evidence relating to drug trafficking, including one message sent on August 26 which asked “anyone want an ounce”.
There were arrangements to meet and exchange drugs and messages even gave out bank account details for amounts of $1050 and $2900.
After being arrested, one of Dart’s phones received 100 calls and 20 text messages relating to drugs.
Dart admitted the phones were hers but claimed someone else used them, although she agreed it “didn’t look good”.
Defence counsel Tony Robinson said his client’s life went off the rails a couple of years ago when her brother took his life and she separated from a partner, who moved with Dart’s two step-children to Western Australia.
That man is now in custody in WA after being charged with murder.
Mr Robinson said Dart started using cannabis and was soon supplying others to support her habit.
She was caught and received a two-month suspended jail sentence for trafficking cannabis.
In April this year Dart was jailed for trafficking ice and when released from prison on July 4 was placed on a community corrections order.
Mr Robinson said Dart had nowhere to live, couldn’t afford to pay her car registration and out of financial necessity turned to drug trafficking.
“She can’t believe she has done it. She is not a career criminal,” he said.
Magistrate John Lesser told Dart that to say it was disappointing to see her back in court after he sentenced her in April was an understatement.
He said that within weeks of being released from jail she was back dealing.
The magistrate said ice was a great concern in the community and there had to be a strong message sent that those involved in the drug trade would be caught and jailed.
Dart received a 23-month jail term with a minimum 13 months to serve before being eligible for parole.
She has already served 148 days in custody.