Drug accused pushes for home detention

A man allegedly found with 194g of methylamphetamine in his bedroom, which was only accessible through a pin pad, will be considered for home detention.

The man appeared in Rockingham Magistrate’s Court by video link from Casuarina Prison last Friday and is facing 13 charges, ranging from having ready access to weapons, cash and illegal drugs, possession of cannabis and methylamphetamine, possession of a firearm and possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property.

During the bail application hearing, the court was told that during a raid on the man’s home in Cooloongup, police uncovered the methylamphetamine, $30,000 in cash, a shotgun and handgun, as well as other items.

Police said the man was a “risk to the community” if he was released, and that he had breached bail twice in the past few years.

However, defence lawyer Terry Dobson disputed many of the charges, and said items like the methylamphetamine and a mobile phone were not his client’s.

“There are no suggestions he was a kingpin,” he said.

During a debate on whether the man should be granted bail, his defence lawyer suggested a phone seized by police that had text messages indicating the sale of drugs was not his client’s; however, this was disputed by the police prosecutor.

A home detention report was ordered by Magistrate Leanne Atkins, who will then consider the possibility of bail.

The man will next appear again in court in February.