Leopold St woman refused bail on cocaine possession charge

Penny Smith, 54, who police say was found with cocaine at her Leopold Street home, was remanded to prison on Thursday on a drug possession charge.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge when she appeared before city magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge stated that on July 29th, at Leopold Street, Smith had 17 grammes of cocaine in her possession for trafficking.

The unrepresented woman told the court a story of being assaulted by police officers, whom she said were trying to retrieve some money she had hidden in her underwear.

Smith explained that she had no cocaine in her possession; rather, only some $5,000 and $1,000 notes, which she had found lying around on the floor.

However, the prosecution explained that police, acting on information obtained, went to Smith’s house, where they found her holding what had appeared to be a black plastic bag. Upon further investigation, police reportedly found what was suspected to be cocaine in the bag.

Smith was refused bail and the case was adjourned until August 14th.