A Warrnambool man found with $20,000 worth of ice and a substantial amount of cash told police the drugs were for personal use and the money was from buying and selling tropical fish.
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Jason Proctor, 42, of Menzies Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to 12 charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, attempting to escape police custody, hinder police, assault, possessing a dangerous article and driving while suspended.
The court heard the man had a three grams-a-day ice habit.
Magistrate Ronald Saines said Proctor was lucky it was his first drug trafficking offence.
"In my opinion if someone is caught a second time they should be sentenced to years and not months. You have not fallen into that category," he said.
"There is no doubt that there is always a temptation for someone using illicit drugs to subsidise their own use with selling. That can then grow and grow.
"If you allow yourself to be in that situation again you wont allow yourself the benefit of being a first time drug trafficker."
Proctor was jailed for eight months and has already served 140 days in custody on remand.
On December 22 police intercepted a gold Holden sedan on Warrnambool's Menzies Street about 7.30pm.
Proctor, who had a suspended drivers' licence, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
An officer noticed a baseball bat in the driver's side foot well of the car and a small deal bag in a cup holder.
Proctor exited the vehicle and consented to a search.
Police seized 50 grams of methamphetamine, 1.38 grams of cannabis, a test tube of heroin, a Samsung mobile phone and more than $4500 cash.
Proctor was placed under arrest and taken to the rear of a police divisional van.
As an officer opened the door, Proctor started running north in an attempt to escape.
Police gave chase and he was arrested about 10 metres away.
While in custody Proctor refused to unlock his mobile phone, which had numerous missed calls.
He initially denied the offending, stating the drugs were for personal use and the cash was from selling tropical fish.
At the time of offending, Proctor was on summons for assaulting a police officer and driving offences.
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