Melbourne meth queen Tess Rowlatt is back in hot water over suspected drug dealing after she was allegedly caught dealing in a posh party district.
Rowlatt, 36, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of meth.
Rowlatt was arrested in Melbourne’s Southbank block of flats on August 16 this year.
Rowlatt was allegedly caught with meth, the GHB mirror drug 1,4-butanediol, $725 in cash and forged ID credentials at the party venue, which is home to the Crown Casino and several other high-end restaurants and bars.
Rowlatt, who appeared briefly via video link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, abandoned his legal firm at Monday’s hearing.
The court heard that Rowlatt had intended to plead guilty to the three charges, but the convicted drug dealer changed his mind and now plans to seek new legal representation.
Police suspect Rowlatt intended to use fake IDs to commit crimes and the cash in his possession is suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
Rowlatt, a glamorous society party girl, exploded in disgrace when it emerged she had been the target of a targeted investigation by the Victoria Police Major’s drug squad in mid-2021.
Melbourne meth queen Tess Rowlatt is back in hot water over suspected drug dealing
In February last year, Rowlatt was sentenced to 419 days in prison and four years of corrections orders after pleading guilty to trafficking a commercial quantity of the drug.
The former marketing guru was charged with leading a major drug bust for 16 Melbourne Airbnbs between July and October 2021.
Rowlatt was sentenced to 419 days and four years of community corrections orders in February last year after pleading guilty to trafficking a commercial quantity of the drug.
Rowlatt and another suspected drug dealer were secretly tracked down by undercover officers during a months-long investigation and included hours of physical and electronic monitoring.
He was finally arrested at his Upper West Side Spencer St apartment on October 21, 2021.
Rowlatt was initially charged with more than 70 counts, including trafficking in large quantities of commercial meth and heroin, as well as trafficking in bute, known to be a deadly rave drug.
The court had previously heard allegations that Rowlatt moved between 16 separate Airbnb properties, including the View Hotel St Kilda and the Upper West Side in the city.
Police alleged that Rowlatt stayed at the properties overnight to a few days as he sold large quantities of meth.
Rowlatt sold drugs in short-term properties, which police allege he secured with fake IDs.
The high-flying marketing guru was previously accused of running a major drug racket out of 16 Melbourne Airbnbs between July and October 2021.
Rowlatt, who appeared briefly via video link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, left his law firm at Monday’s hearing.
The court also heard a previous allegation involved Rowlatt making a number of drug deals, including one deal believed to be worth $34,000.
Police uncovered the alleged evidence after seizing several of Rowlatt’s devices.
The glamorous party girl claimed on social media that she graduated from Monash Uni before working in sales roles at several marketing companies.
Rowlatt also sparked a police investigation when he unexpectedly appeared to be living in a central Melbourne apartment illegally rented to convicted sex offender and drug dealer Simon Simoudis.
Simoudis, who lived in Sydney before quietly moving to Melbourne, appeared on the police radar when he used false references to get an apartment in the inner city in April last year.
He pleaded guilty to producing a false document posing as an employee of Mayne Pharma and securing an apartment in Melbourne’s inner east.
It is understood that Simoudis disturbed other tenants shortly after his arrival.
The glamorous party girl claimed on social media that she graduated from Monash Uni before working in sales roles at several marketing companies.
The court heard that the arrangement was facilitated by Luxico, a high-end Airbnb-style company that markets itself to “rock stars, families and anyone who loves the VIP treatment”.
Simoudis was green-lit by Luxico after he provided “exemplary references” and claimed he was in Melbourne “for work”.
It has been reported that Simoudis made the tenants’ lives hell with all night parties and people coming and going at all hours.
The witness also claimed that “shady-looking men” kicked in the door of Simoudis’ apartment before leaving shortly after, and it was reported that there was a theft and property damage at the luxury apartment complex.
Simon Simoudis pleaded guilty in the Melbourne District Court earlier this year to possessing commercial quantities of meth and 1,4-butanediol.
The property manager reported Simoudis to the police after an eagle-eyed local spotted Rowlatt apparently living in the apartment.
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard police also found documents in Rowlatt’s name at the flat.
Simoudis pleaded guilty in the Melbourne District Court earlier this year to commercial forests and 1,4-butanediol.
Rowlatt was remanded in custody to next appear in court in January.