Notorious Melbourne drug figure Tess Rowlatt finds herself facing serious legal trouble once again after being charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
Latest Arrest and Court Proceedings
The 36-year-old, who previously gained infamy as the so-called 'meth queen' of Melbourne, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday afternoon via videolink from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Rowlatt was arrested on August 16 this year in Southbank, the city's high-rise apartment district known for its upmarket restaurants and bars near Crown Casino.
During her arrest, police allegedly discovered methamphetamine, the GHB-mirror drug 1,4 butanediol, $725 in cash, and modified proof of ID cards. Authorities suspect the cash represents proceeds of crime and believe Rowlatt intended to use the fake identification documents to commit criminal offences.
In a surprising turn during today's hearing, Rowlatt dismissed her legal representation despite having previously indicated she would plead guilty to three charges. The court heard she has now changed her mind and will seek new legal counsel before her next appearance scheduled for January next year.
Criminal History and Previous Convictions
This isn't Rowlatt's first encounter with the justice system for drug-related offences. She exploded into infamy in mid-2021 when she became the focus of a targeted Victoria Police Major Drug Squad investigation.
The former marketing guru was accused of operating a significant drug racket from 16 different Melbourne Airbnb properties between July and October 2021. Police conducted extensive surveillance during a months-long investigation that involved both physical and electronic monitoring.
Rowlatt was eventually arrested at her Upper West Side Spencer Street apartment on October 21, 2021, initially facing more than 70 charges including trafficking large commercial quantities of meth and heroin.
In February last year, she received a sentence of 419 days along with a four-year community correction order after pleading guilty to trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs.
Connections and Previous Investigations
Rowlatt's criminal associations extend to other notable figures, including convicted sex offender and drug dealer Simon Simoudis. Police previously investigated her after she was discovered living unlawfully at an inner-city Melbourne apartment leased to Simoudis.
The court heard that Simoudis used false references to secure the apartment through Luxico, an upmarket Airbnb-type company. He later pleaded guilty to producing a false document and trafficking commercial quantities of meth and 1,4 butanediol.
According to her social media profiles, Rowlatt claimed to have graduated from Monash University and held sales roles within multiple marketing companies before her descent into drug trafficking.
Rowlatt remains in custody as she awaits her next court appearance in the new year, facing the prospect of further significant prison time if convicted on the latest charges.
