ACT Labor politician Tara Cheyne has moved to distance herself from a Canberra cafe owner charged in connection with a drug trafficking ring, saying she was "shocked and disappointed" to learn of the allegations.
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O'Connor man Brendan Leigh Baker, 26, was one of five men arrested in police raids across Canberra last weekend.
Mr Baker had claimed on social media ACT Labor politician Tara Cheyne was a good friend and mentor.
"My dearest friends and family! As majority of you know I grew up in the district of Belconnen and hold it close to my heart!" Mr Baker wrote when he shared Ms Cheyne's campaign Facebook page on December 3, 2015.
"It is with the greatest pleasure I'd like to say my good friend Tara Cheyne is stepping up to create a better Belconnen. If your [sic] supporter of community growth I prompt you to jump across and support her page so WE can give her the opportunity to make our city a better place!"
Nine months later, Mr Baker posted a photo of himself with Ms Cheyne at one of her community stalls.
"Had the greatest honour to help out my good friend Tara Cheyne with her campaign for the upcoming election!" Mr Baker wrote on August 17, 2016.
"Early 2015 Tara sat down with me and discussed where I wanted to be in life. She helped me set goals for the years to come but better than that mentored me to achieve them!"
However Ms Cheyne said her contact with Mr Baker had mainly been through social media.
"I was shocked and disappointed when I read the news Mr Baker is facing serious criminal charges. I never had any idea that Mr Baker was involved in any alleged criminal activity," she said.
"I have known Mr Baker for a number of years primarily and almost entirely through social media. Off the back of his knowledge of my blog, he first made contact in late 2015 to ask for recommendations on dog friendly cafes and good areas to walk his dogs.
"During the 2016 election, Mr Baker occasionally published Facebook posts on his page promoting me as a candidate. He volunteered once on one of my street stalls at Jamison Plaza. We have had minimal direct contact in person or on social media since then."
Ms Cheyne said Mr Baker did not provide her campaign with any money, or approach her to discuss government policy.
She said she had not spoken with Mr Baker about the allegations, and first heard of them through the media.
Mr Baker's social media shows a life most people his age could only dream of - a flashy Mercedes, spontaneous overseas holidays, and plans to build a six bedroom home on a large block of land in Taylor.
However, police allege the Kingston Foreshore cafe owner funded his lifestyle by dealing drugs, and on Monday he was charged with importing a commercial quantity of drugs, as well as money laundering and drug trafficking. He was refused bail.
Police seized an estimated $1.5 million worth of drugs and cash in 15 raids last weekend across Canberra.
The haul included six vehicles, a gun and ammunition, a house, bank accounts and jewellery.
