SYDNEY: Former New Zealand pop singer Allison Durbin has been charged with drug trafficking in Melbourne.

Durbin, 53, was arrested last week as part of a major drug investigation into the trafficking of ecstasy, ice, cannabis and amphetamines.

She appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday charged with trafficking, cultivating and possessing cannabis and theft of electricity.

Durbin, who appeared under her married name of Allison Giles, was released on bail and will appear again on June 4.

Police allege she trafficked heroin between December last year and her arrest on Thursday.

Auckland-born Durbin was the Loxene Golden Disc winner in New Zealand in 1968 for her No 1 hit, I Have Loved Me A Man.

She shifted across the Tasman and was voted Queen of Pop for three years in a row from 1969 to 1971. Other hits included Don't Come Any Closer, Games People Play and Put Your Hand in the Hand.

An album with John Farnham followed, before she took time off for her family.

She re-emerged some years later, forging a successful career as a country singer.

In 1985, Durbin publicly admitted to a battle with heroin. She recovered after treatment at a drug rehabilitation centre.

Her lawyer, Bernie Balmer, told the Melbourne Age newspaper after the hearing Durbin had not made any admissions and "we await the full brief of evidence against my client

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