PHOTO: From Property Management to Major Drug Charges: The Stunning Fall of Tegan Miller.
A former Melbourne real estate agent who once worked for some of Australia’s best-known property brands has admitted to serious drug trafficking offences after police uncovered what prosecutors describe as a substantial drug operation involving methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.
Tegan Miller, 30, appeared before the County Court after pleading guilty to trafficking commercial quantities of drugs and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
The case has stunned many within the property industry, given Miller’s previous employment with major real estate groups including Ray White, Century 21 and Pennisi Real Estate.
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🚔 Massive Police Raid Uncovers Drugs, Cash and False Documents
Police executed search warrants at Miller’s Port Melbourne apartment and a nearby storage facility in October 2023.
According to court proceedings, detectives seized:
- More than 1.1 kilograms of methamphetamine
- Approximately 135 grams of cocaine
- More than 50 grams of MDMA
- Over $519,000 in cash
- Mobile phones and drug paraphernalia
- Blank driver’s licences
- Identity-related equipment
- Bank cards and documents in other names
- A money-counting machine
The drugs alone were estimated to have a street value approaching $400,000.
Authorities allege the operation was being run from multiple locations, including Miller’s residence and a rented storage unit.
🏠 A Career in Real Estate
Before her legal troubles, Miller worked in Melbourne’s highly competitive real estate sector.
Court records and public profiles show she had been employed by major agencies and had built a career in property management and real estate services. She also reportedly operated a separate business leasing vehicles to Uber drivers.
The contrast between her professional career and the allegations before the court has generated widespread media attention across Australia.
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⚖️ Prosecutors Paint Serious Picture
Prosecutors told the court the scale of the operation, the quantity of drugs involved and the use of multiple premises significantly increased the seriousness of the offending.
The court heard that police intelligence had linked Miller to alleged drug trafficking activities prior to the raids. Earlier reporting also revealed investigators believed substantial quantities of illicit substances had been stored and moved through the locations under surveillance.
🧠 Defence Points to Trauma and Mental Health
During the plea hearing, Miller’s lawyer told the court she suffers from PTSD and ongoing anxiety following a violent home invasion in 2022. According to court submissions, Miller was left traumatised after hiding during the incident.
Her legal team argued she is remorseful and has family support as she awaits sentencing.
📉 Another Blow for Real Estate’s Public Image
While the overwhelming majority of real estate professionals operate ethically and professionally, cases such as this inevitably attract attention due to the public-facing nature of the industry.
Property professionals routinely handle significant financial transactions and build trusted relationships with clients. When a high-profile industry figure becomes involved in serious criminal offending, it can create reputational challenges that extend well beyond the individual involved.
🔮 Sentencing Looms
Miller has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced later this month. The outcome is expected to attract considerable attention given the scale of the alleged operation and the quantity of drugs and cash involved.
For now, what began as a promising career in Melbourne real estate has become one of the more dramatic falls from grace seen in the Australian property industry in recent years.
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Former real estate agent Tegan Miller has pleaded guilty to serious drug trafficking offences.
✅ Miller previously worked for Ray White, Century 21 and Pennisi Real Estate.
✅ Police seized more than 1kg of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and over $519,000 cash.
✅ Prosecutors allege the operation was conducted from multiple premises.
✅ Defence lawyers cited PTSD and trauma following a violent home invasion.
✅ Sentencing is scheduled later this month.