Teen admits to drug dealing, purchasing stolen motorcycle in Cooloongup house raid

A teenage drug dealer has avoided serious penalties despite police locating a large quantity of cannabis and a stolen motorcycle during a raid of his Cooloongup home earlier this year. The teenager, who cannot be named because he is underage, appeared before Rockingham Children’s Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen or illegally obtained property and one count of possession to sell or supply. On January 27, 2023 at 1.25pm, police executed a search warrant at the teen’s home address in Cooloongup. During the search police located 56g of cannabis, scales and empty clip seal bags in the teen’s room, hidden in a bedside cabinet. Police also located a stolen BMW motorcycle that had been spray painted and had the number plate changed. When questioned by police the teen said that he had purchased the motorcycle from Facebook Marketplace and had only become aware of it being stolen after purchasing it. He also made full admissions to police telling them he had been dealing “sticks of cannabis” and that he was aware it was illegal. Legal aid lawyer Claire Rossi said that at the time of the offending, the teen had only recently moved back to live with his mum and young siblings. “His mum wasn’t working at the time and the family was struggling financially . . . he took it upon himself to find other means to help but accepts that this was the wrong way to go about it,” she said. Ms Rossi said the family circumstances have since changed, with his mum securing full-time employment, and that only after the teen had come across a video on Crime Watch did he learn the bike was stolen. “After purchasing the motorcycle he was strapped for cash and the idea was to sell it, which is why it had been spray painted,” she said. “Prior to the offending he was doing really well.” Magistrate Catherine Crawford said the teen made a very “misguided attempt to support his mother and siblings”, but that it spoke to his sense of responsibility and care for his family. “Your lack of maturity and naivety and other qualities reflects your youth,” she said. “I do accept that you have benefited from engaging with Youth Justice and now understand all the negative and harmful impacts that cannabis has on the community.” Ms Crawford said based on the material before her and the teen’s lack of record there would be no penalty for the offences before the court. There was an order for the destruction of the drugs and the return of the motorcycle. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800