Instagram Bikini Model Raquel Yasmine Petit to Stand Trial on Steroid Trafficking Charges in Australia

Raquel Yasmine Petit, an Instagram bikini model who founded PETITKINI Luxe Tanning Bikinis, will stand trial on 47 charges related to her involvement in anabolic steroid trafficking organization based in Australia. Most of the charges are related to Petit’s use of false identity documents that were used during the commission of the crime.

The 25-year old Petit appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for an arraignment hearing on October 5, 2018. Magistrate Peter Reardon determined that there was sufficient evidence of Petit’s involvement to stand trial next week. Petit allegedly conspired with two other individuals to import anabolic steroids from China and Ukraine between July 10, 2015 and November 2, 2016.

Petit’s role in the steroid trafficking organization involved the production and use of false identification documents e.g. Queensland driver’s license. The false ID’s were used to set up numerous post office boxes under multiple fake names. The post office boxes were used to receive parcels of anabolic steroids and other drugs ordered from China and Ukraine. 42 of the 47 charges faced by Petit involved the use of false documents.

Petit’s two co-conspirators were also involved in the trafficking of psychoactive drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. These drugs were also shipped to post offices boxes located throughout the greater Melbourne area. However, Petit was solely involved in steroid trafficking and had nothing to do with the cocaine and methamphetamine dealing according to police.

Petit was busted after Australian Border Force investigators intercepted several steroid and cocaine packages. The packages were eventually linked to Petit and her co-conspirators even though the post office boxes were set up using fake IDs.

Petit got involved in the steroid trafficking game after her boyfriend Wade Yates-Taui was arrested in the United States and extradited to Australia to face charges of murder in 2014. Petit accompanied Yates-Taui while he was fugitive. Police say the pictures she posted of the couple during their travels in the United States helped officers catch him. 

Yates-Taui pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of “unlawful killing” and was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison.

Petit’s trial is scheduled to start on October 8, 2018.

Source:

Sweeney, K. (October 5, 2018). Bikini model to stand trial over alleged involvement in drug trafficking ring. Retrieved from news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/bikini-model-to-stand-trial-over-alleged-involvement-in-drug-trafficking-ring/news-story/405a33cc203b15fa24b5d3ce3e179ecf