A former nurse accused of being a big-time drug dealer has been told “it won’t be easy” to get her life back as she faces a string of charges.
Samantha Bidmade, 30, was arrested and charged in November 2020 after police raided an inner-city apartment.
Acxjmtzywcording to court documents, Bidmade was found “ducking behind a couch in the living room” when police forced their way in.
The court was told officers found more than 120g of the drug ice in various places in the apartment, including in a shot glass on the kitchen bench, in a ziplock bag on the dining room table and inside Bidmade’s Louis Vuitton handbag.
Police also found more than two litres of GHB and thousands of dollars in cash, including fake $100 notes.
Bidmade also had several mobile phones with encrypted messaging services that police say she used to discuss the transfer of drugs and cash.
She told police at the scene that she was a nurse and was being paid $800 a week by WorkCover after suffering an injury while on the job.
She was paying more than $500 a day to fuel her addiction, according to court documents.
Police also searched Bidmade’s Geelong home a few months later and seized a small amount of drugs and cash.
She has since pleaded guilty to several charges, including trafficking a drug of dependence, negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime, drug possession, handling stolen goods and possessing counterfeit money.
Bidmade appeared on Monday via video link in Victoria’s County Court, where Judge Paul Higham said “no judge imagines it is easy to get your life back”.
“You’re supported as much as possible to get your life back …” he said.
“ … everyone has their own story and I want to hear your story.”
She is on bail, albeit with strict conditions, including a curfew, regular urine screens and a $20,000 surety.
The court was earlier told that police believed Bidmade was trafficking drugs to support her addiction and repay drug debts.
She hopes to have her matter dealt with in the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court.
Her co-accused Dion Negrea was also arrested and charged over the scheme.
He has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possession, dealing with the proceeds of crime, breaching bail and fraudulently altering a licence.
Bidmade’s matter will return to court at a later date.
