Accused Brighton cocaine dealer from private school faces additional charges

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 by videolink from Western Plains Correctional Centre after previously being held in the central magistrates’ cells.

During the brief hearing, Doree wore a grey prison tracksuit and had a shaved head. Neither his family nor his partner attended court.

His lawyer, Martin Amad, told the court he had submitted an offer to resolve the case, but the Office of Public Prosecutions had returned a counter-offer.

Mr Amad said the revised proposal may contain a sticking point and that he had not yet been able to discuss it with Doree. He expected to meet his client on Tuesday morning to try to settle the matter.

‘Both parties seek some extra time. Negotiations are progressing. We’re hopeful of finalising the matter,’ Mr Amad said.

Mr Amad also said he was seeking more information from prosecutors about two fraud charges, which he described as deception allegations linked to an insurance claim.

Doree was arrested at a Brighton East unit, where police allege they found drugs and cash. He is accused of possessing more than 300 grams of cocaine.

The fraud charges are believed to have been filed after Doree’s first court appearance in July. Police say his arrest followed a month-long covert investigation into the alleged distribution of illicit substances in the Brighton area.

Doree, who had previously faced a trafficking charge that did not lead to a conviction, was arrested when police raided a North Road address on 20 July this year.

During a July bail application, the court heard investigators searched the property and several vehicles, allegedly finding about 300 grams of drugs, including cocaine stored in multiple zip-lock bags.

Police estimated the cocaine’s street value at $100,000. Investigators also allegedly seized ketamine, prescription medication and $45,000 in cash, which they claimed was the proceeds of crime.

Doree told police he obtained his own prescription medication because he ‘didn’t trust doctors’. He otherwise made no comment when questioned about the trafficking allegations.

Lead investigator Detective Senior Constable Jack Wills told the court officers had seized two phones. He described one as a ‘clean phone’, while alleging the other had been used in drug trafficking.

Detective Wills said an initial examination of the second phone uncovered alleged trafficking evidence, including videos of cocaine, notes and screenshots referring to drug debts allegedly owed to Doree. The debts included amounts of $35,000 and $42,000.

He also alleged police found a list of people said to owe Doree drug debts, along with a Google Maps screenshot showing a house and 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.