A former Melbourne private school student appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon, charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine.
Jesse Doree, 28, appeared via videolink from Western Plains Correctional Centre, having previously been remanded in central magistrates’ cells.
He had a shaved head and wore a grey prison tracksuit during the brief hearing, in which neither his family nor his partner was present.
Doree’s lawyer, Martin Amad, told the court he had made an offer to resolve the matter, but the Office of Public Prosecutions had responded with a counter-offer.
Mr Amad said there was potentially a sticking point to the revised deal and he had not yet been able to consult Doree about the counter-offer. He expected to meet his client on Tuesday morning in an effort to resolve the matter.
‘Both parties seek some extra time. Negotiations are progressing. We’re hopeful of finalising the matter,’ Mr Amad said.
Mr Amad also indicated he was seeking further information from the prosecution regarding two fraud charges, which he described as deception charges in relation to an insurance claim.
Doree was arrested at a Brighton East unit, where police allege they seized drugs and cash. He is accused of being in possession of more than 300 grams of cocaine.
Jesse Doree, 28, (left) was arrested at a Brighton East unit
Doree was allegedly caught with more than 300 grams of cocaine
It is believed the fraud charges were laid after Doree first appeared in court in July. According to police, the arrest followed a month-long covert investigation into the alleged distribution of illicit substances in the Brighton area.
Doree, who previously faced a trafficking charge that did not result in a conviction, was arrested after police raided a North Road address on 20 July this year.
The court heard, during a bail application in July, that investigators searched the home and several vehicles, seizing approximately 300 grams of drugs, including cocaine, found in multiple zip-lock bags.
Police alleged the cocaine had an estimated street value of $100,000, and investigators also seized ketamine, prescription medication, and $45,000 in cash, alleged to be the proceeds of crime.
Doree told police he sourced his own prescription medication because he ‘didn’t trust doctors,’ but otherwise made no comment when questioned about the trafficking charges.
Lead investigator Detective Senior Constable Jack Wills told the court police had seized two phones. He claimed one was a ‘clean phone’, while the second was allegedly used for drug trafficking.
Doree is a former private schoolboy and son of a prominent lawyer
Investigators discovered cash and phones at the property
Detective Wills said police’s preliminary search of the second phone found evidence of alleged trafficking, including videos of cocaine, as well as notes and screenshots about alleged drug debts owed to Doree, containing amounts of $35,000 and $42,000.
He further alleged police saw a list of names of individuals who owed drug debts to Mr Doree, and a screenshot of a house on Google Maps with instructions for ‘someone’ to collect a debt on his behalf.
Police indicated that the alleged drugs would be analysed and the data from the seized phones downloaded.
Doree, who claims not to use cocaine, was supported during his July bail application by his mother, who offered to provide a $20,000 surety for his release.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tim Bourke asked Doree’s mother if she could put up an $800,000 Benalla property, and advised her she could lose the surety if her son breached bail conditions. She stated she renovated homes for a living and was willing to provide her house as security. She also said her four sons, including Doree, were all ‘very close’. Doree’s brother, who offered a $10,000 surety, also attended court for the bail application.
Doree is currently unemployed. The court heard he was hoping to launch an online lawyer referral business and had arrangements to work at a friend’s towing company if released. However, the towing business owner reportedly had several prior convictions for handling stolen goods, aggravated burglary, and making a false report.
Doree also uses Valium and opioid medication following a watersports accident.
The court heard he grew up in Melbourne’s inner south and attended De La Salle College, where annual tuition fees start at about $15,000.
Detective Wills opposed bail, telling the court he believed Doree would continue to traffic drugs if released.
‘I believe Mr Doree will continue to traffic drugs of dependence,’ he said. ‘He’s built a lifestyle based on selling drugs and it would be extremely difficult for him to give that up. Realistically, I don’t believe he has gainful employment. He is attempting to start a business, but for him to get that off the ground he is going to require a fair amount of cash. We seized a lot of cash from his house and he’s going to have to try and make that up somehow and I believe that’s going to be through trafficking drugs.’
The prosecution submitted that Doree did not meet the threshold to be granted bail, highlighting content found on his mobile phone, including messages referring to drug debts, and evidence allegedly consistent with participation in commercial drug trafficking.
‘The alleged offending before the court concerns commercial drug trafficking. Such conduct, we respectfully submit, is not impulsive nor opportunistic and the quantities involved suggest access to drug networks, distribution channels, and a financial motive,’ the prosecution said.
The prosecution also submitted that Doree’s alleged drug debts suggested involvement in an ongoing enterprise, and that material demonstrated ongoing access to people and infrastructure capable of further trafficking activity.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Bourke refused bail in July, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the prospect of a significant custodial sentence.
Doree, also charged with possession of prescription medication and ketamine, as well as dealing with proceeds of crime, remains in custody to face court on November 10.
