Emily Jane Carter: Alleged organised drug syndicate member released on bail while co-accused remain in prison

An Albany woman who allegedly sold $14,000 worth of methamphetamine as part of a major drug dealing syndicate has been released on home detention bail. Emily Jane Carter, 42, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Melaleuca Women’s Prison. Ms Carter is facing charges of selling a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine and possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property. She was arrested along with two alleged co-offenders for allegedly selling 28g of methamphetamine to another person for $14,000 at her home in Bayonet Head on July 18. Following a search of the home, police also say they found $20,000 cash in Ms Carter’s bedroom. During her first court appearance on July 20, the court was told Ms Carter is a single mother and her two children were home during the alleged drug deal. She was remanded in custody so a home detention report could be prepared and last week Ms Carter was granted release on home detention bail with electronic monitoring equipment and a $5000 personal undertaking. She will also be required to undergo urinalysis testing and counselling sessions as directed by a community corrections officer. In total, Albany police have arrested five people for their alleged involvement in the organised drug syndicate. Owen Leslie Sullivan, 41, and Jason Edward Olivieri, 46, are the alleged co-accused of Ms Carter. Sheralee Ann Steele, 41, and Gary Antony Gordon Batchelor, 36, were also arrested and charged as part of the operation that police busted in July. Of the five charged Ms Carter is the only the second to be released on bail. Mr Sullivan and Mr Olivieri also made brief appearances in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday. Appearing via video link Mr Sullivan entered guilty pleas for three drug-related matters in Mt Barker on May 26 and 27. He pleaded to driving with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia containing methamphetamine. Defence lawyer Bruno Illari noted that a co-accused was granted bail and had an email of support from his mother. Mr Illari said his client was willing to attend drug counselling and wanted to address his “long-standing” meth problem. However, Magistrate Dianne Scaddan said a bail application could not be made during the appearance and police prosecutor Sergeant Warrick Walker told the court bail that they would be opposing bail. Mr Sullivan is facing charges of selling a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine and possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property. Ms Scadden remanded those matters for a bail application on August 10, where he will also be sentenced for the minor drug charges. Mr Olivieri is charged with selling a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine and possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property. He is also facing further drug-related charges including three counts of selling meth and possessing cannabis, LSD and meth. During his appearance last week, it was established Mr Olivieri had not spoken to his lawyer yet and his matters were remanded to August 31.