A woman was found with 10 times the trafficable quantity of GHB in a stolen car after fleeing police at 170km/h on the Princes Highway, a court heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jessica Bugeja, 22, of no fixed address, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday charged with drug trafficking and serious driving offences.
The court heard on December 3, Ms Bugeja was observed driving a stolen Holden Commodore south on the Princes Highway at Warrnambool.
Police conducted a U-turn and activated their lights in an attempt to intercept the vehicle, which sped off in excess of 170km/h.
Ms Bugeja allegedly slowed down before slamming the brakes, causing the police vehicle to take evasive action, narrowly avoiding an oncoming truck.
The pursuit was abandoned for safety reasons.
Ms Bugeja was later located inside the vehicle which was parked at Gateway Church on Raglan Parade.
She denied driving but an associate told her to stop lying to the police. The conversation was captured on one of the officer's body-worn camera.
Ms Bugeja was arrested and taken to Warrnambool police station. A search of the vehicle located 500 milliliters of GHB - 10 times the trafficable amount.
An analysis of her mobile phone revealed messages relating to the sale of a litre of GHB.
In a bail application, Ms Bugeja's lawyer told the court his client planned to reside at a stable address with her mother in Lara.
But the magistrate said he would need to hear from the woman's mother and adjourned the matter until February 26.
She will reappear in court on that date.
The Standard last week reported on a growing number of motorists evading police at disastrous speeds.
Warrnambool police Acting Senior Sergeant Cameron Ross said some of the more serious charges carried a jail sentence of up to 20 years.
"It's just not worth it," he said.
"By failing to stop you are compounding the trouble you are in, and putting everyone in danger."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.