By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
POLICE will likely seek the forfeiture of a $15,000 surety after an accused drug offender allegedly breached her bail conditions.
Diep Lam, of Springvale South, pleaded guilty to several drug offences, with two trafficking charges withdrawn by police in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 24 August.
Lam faced charges of possessing up to 12 grams of heroin wrapped in foils and a deal bag outside a Clayton pokies venue in May.
She was also charged with a proceeds-of-crime offence over $4785 cash found in her handbag, as well as possession of 0.32 grams of amphetamines and Xanax tablets wrapped in plastic.
Lam allegedly told police she had won the cash at the pokies venue, prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Richard Symmons told the court.
While on bail over those matters – and with her mother pledging a $15,000 surety – Lam was found with several packages of methamphetamine and heroin during a police intercept on Chandler Road, Noble Park, on 21 July.
She was also in possession of more than $1400 cash and a silver knife under her car seat.
Lam denied being in possession of drugs at the time, later telling police they were personal use, Leading Sen Const Symmons told the court.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said he expected police would apply for the surety’s forfeiture.
The accused’s mother would have to make her own application to retain the surety, he said.
Lam’s lawyer sought an adjournment to collect evidence on the accused’s medical condition and drug treatment.
Lam was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 7 September.
