A Scottish woman has been pictured after being detained in Sydney when police discovered bags of ketamine hidden in the boot of a shared rental car, an operation authorities say could point to an international drugs supply effort. The case, which involved a large haul and a coordinated police response, raises fresh concerns about criminal use of short-term rentals and transient accommodation.
Demi McDaid, 23, a mother of two, was arrested alongside her boyfriend, 30‑year‑old Jack Farrelly, during a police operation in Sydney on June 26. NSW Police say officers raided a hotel in North Sydney and later searched a unit in the suburb of Artarmon as part of the same investigation.
Investigators recovered a substantial quantity of drugs from the couple’s rented vehicle and the Artarmon address. In total, police seized what they describe as approximately 107kg of ketamine from the car, and a further 2kg was located at the unit. Images released by the force show multiple packed bags in the boot and piles of the drug laid out following the arrests.
The force also reported the recovery of several mobile phones, more than $2,000 in cash and documents police allege are drug ledgers. Authorities estimate the street value of the seizure at about AUD$11 million—around £5.7 million.
Both McDaid and Farrelly have been charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug: one count said to exceed an indictable quantity and another alleged to be above a commercial quantity. The pair appeared at Manly Local Court where bail was refused; they are due back before the Downing Centre Local Court on August 25.
Police say the arrests were prompted by tips from neighbours about activity at the rented unit. Senior detectives combined traditional investigative techniques with digital forensics to trace the alleged owner of abandoned luggage and locate the couple at the hotel.
- Who: Demi McDaid (23) and Jack Farrelly (30)
- When: Arrested June 26; next court date August 25
- What seized: ~107kg ketamine from a rental car; ~2kg from a unit; mobile phones; cash; documents
- Estimated value: ~AUD$11 million (approx. £5.7m)
- Charges: Two counts of supplying a prohibited drug (one exceeding a commercial quantity)
- Source: NSW Police investigation; images released by the force
NSW Police have said further enquiries are under way to identify any other people involved. Court documents and police statements allege the pair traveled to Australia with the aim of taking part in the distribution of large quantities of prohibited drugs.
Acting Crime Manager for the North Shore command, Detective Acting Inspector Alison Dixon, warned that organised groups are increasingly exploiting the rapid turnover of short‑term rentals and hotels to mask activity. She urged property owners and hosts to be alert to behaviour that seems out of the ordinary and to report concerns to police.
Before arriving in Australia, police note, images and videos posted online showed McDaid with high‑end luggage and designer handbags while travelling. Authorities say such material, together with phone data and local reports, helped build the case.
The arrests underline two immediate issues for the public: the scale of the seizure demonstrates how quickly criminal actors can move large volumes of drugs, and the case highlights vulnerabilities around temporary accommodation and vehicle rentals. Police encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact NSW Police as investigations continue.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
