A Cranbourne woman accused of jointly possessing a large stash of mining explosives and detonators in her home garage has been refused bail.
Zarna Barbar, 26, appeared by a remand video link at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 23 June, seeking release for a 12-week stint at a residential drug-rehab centre in Shepparton.
She had been arrested by police at her home on 28 May, who allegedly seized 30 kilograms of ammonium nitrate ‘power gel’ along with cords and 80 detonators.
Victoria Police’s nominal informant Senior Constable Daniel Cousins told the court that storing the plastic explosive close to detonators was a “big no-no”.
It could have sparked “catastrophic consequences”, he said.
There was enough explosive material to destroy the front half of Barbar’s house and garage as well as seriously damage neighbouring dwellings and potentially kill or severely injure passers-by, he told the court.
Police say they also seized zip-lock bags of white powder, bottles of viscous liquid, white tablets and allegedly stolen goods including a Holden Commodore recovered in a nearby street, Victoria Police lanyard and a machete.
At the time, Barbar was on summons for charges including trafficking 1870 millilitres of 1,4-butanediol after a police raid at her home in November.
The earlier alleged offending on top of the recent allegations meant she needed to prove “exceptional circumstances” to attain bail at the 23 June hearing.
Victoria Police opposed bail, though Sen Const Cousins conceded Barbar’s proposed rehab residency would mitigate risk.
Defence lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson said Barbar’s life “fell apart” two years ago due to drugs. She’d ceased working as a nurse and become an escort, the court heard.
Barbar was said to have “detoxed” during the past 26 days in remand. In the meantime, her mother had paid $9000 to secure a bed for her daughter at the rehab facility.
Ms Garde-Wilson said that there was no evidence that Barbar had knowledge or possession of the explosives.
Barbar had no prior convictions whilst her remanded co-accused Drew Moran had a “serious criminal history” of violence, firearms and drugs, Ms Garde-Wilson said.
Police counter-argued that both Moran and Barbar’s possessions were also in the garage.
Police told the court that Moran rented a room at Barbar’s house – which she had a mortgage on. The pair were in a “complicated intimate relationship”.
Ms Garde-Wilson argued it was a “possibility” that Barbar would not be sentenced to prison – while she faced a lengthy time in remand due to trial delays.
Magistrate Tony Burns however found that if the charges were proven, Barbar would likely face a significant jail term.
Mr Burns said it was “hard to accept” Barbar didn’t know of the explosives.
“If she was blind to it, I suspect she was willfully so.
“This is a significant amount of explosives. To say it could have caused enormous damage would be a massive understatement.”
He said Barbar’s lack of priors and her rehab bed did not in itself prove “exceptional circumstances”.
Barbar was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.
