A glamorous marketing guru is accused of running a massive drug smuggling operation at 16 Airbnb rental properties
- Tess Rowlatt charged with more than 100 offenses related to alleged drug trafficking
- The Melbourne woman, 32, graduated from Monash University in marketing
- The prosecutor said there appeared to be more than $203,000 in suspected drug deals
- Ms Rowlatt reportedly completed the deals with 16 Airbnb rentals in the last half of 2021
A glamorous marketing graduate is accused of using several Airbnb properties to traffic commercial quantities of illegal drugs in a ‘sophisticated’ operation.
Tess Rowlatt, 32, is said to have flipped between 16 Airbnb rentals in Melbourne, including the posh Upper West Side CBD apartments and the View Hotel St Kilda to do drugs deals.
She appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in December charged with more than 100 offenses relating to the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine and 1,4 butenediol – also known as liquid fantasy – as well as several drug deals in one-ounce bags at Airbnbs between July 23 and October 21 of last year.
The court heard that she would stay in the rented apartments for periods ranging from one night to a few days.
Ms Rowlatt is also accused of selling methamphetamine, GHB and heroin since January 2021.
Melbourne woman Tess Rowlatt (pictured), 32, has been charged with drug trafficking
On her social media, Ms Rowlett says she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing from Monash University before working in sales roles at several companies.
Magistrate Jelena Popovic said the alleged offense did not appear to have been committed to fuel a drug addiction.
“The business approach of the whole business is extremely concerning… This was an absolute lucrative business the likes of which I have rarely seen,” Ms Popovic said, according to The Sun Herald.
Drug Squad detectives raided Ms Rowlatt’s Upper West Side flat on October 21 after she allegedly arranged a deal between her supplier and a buyer.
Senior Drug Squad Detective Scott Davies told the court she checked the buyer for $15,000, then left the room and came back with drugs.
After her arrest, she was denied bail at a hearing in November with police saying there was evidence she would act to collect and pay the alleged drug debts if she was released.
The trafficking charges were added before it reappeared in December.
Ms Rowlatt (pictured) is believed to have made numerous drug transactions at 16 Airbnb properties between July and October 2021
Senior Detective Constable Davies also alleged that the Airbnbs were booked with fake IDs and essential work permits and that his digital devices showed evidence of multiple drug deals, including one worth $100. $34,000.
Several payment apps have also been used as “chequebooks” to track the racketeering, he claimed.
Police prosecutor Thomas Mills said he was still adding up the amounts and the investigation was ongoing, but there appeared to be more than $203,000 in transactions.
“I seriously doubt it will stay in this jurisdiction,” said magistrate Jelena Popovic.
Mr Mills said the case would be better suited to county court as the investigation was complex and involved multiple warrants, addresses and police officers.
Ms Rowlatt was arrested at an Upper West Side flat (pictured) in Melbourne’s CBD in October 2021
Ms Rowlatt’s defense lawyer said his client was mourning the death of his partner when part of the offense happened.
“The difficulty with that is that she is [allegedly] engaged in sophisticated high-level deception and trafficking…probably the most sophisticated drug dealing I have come across,” Ms. Popovic replied.
Ms Rowlatt remains in custody.
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