A Mount Gambier man caught attempting to smuggle drugs across the South Australian border during coronavirus lockdown will spend another 50 days in jail.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jamie Howell, 39, of Starline Place, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court via video-link to dealing methamphetamine and cannabis, weapons offences and using false number plates.
The court heard Howell and co-accused Ian Donges, 26, travelled across the border on that day and were arrested at a Hamilton service station about 2.10am after a service station attendant became suspicious of their behaviour and alerted police.
A pat-down search uncovered about seven grams of methamphetamine, 60 grams of cannabis, 10 ecstasy tablets and 45 acid tabs in Mr Donges possession.
They were subsequently issued with COVID-19 fines totalling more than $3300.
Howell was found in possession of .03 grams of ice.
An analysis of his mobile phone revealed several discussions relating to the trafficking of ice and cannabis.
The court heard on one occasion, Howell sent a photo of a bag of methamphetamine to a person on Facebook and said: "Hey bra I got the shizzle (sic.) $50 a P (point)."
The vehicle also displayed cancelled Victorian registration plates, with the correct South Australian plates found in the boot.
Hamilton police Sergeant Rex Habel told The Standard earlier this year that the hidden registration plates indicated that the pair "tried to disguise the vehicle with Victorian plates to travel across the border".
The pair were arrested and transported to Hamilton police station.
Mr Donges appeared in court in April and was released on bail with a $1000 surety.
Howell was released on bail after his second attempt in May.
But when he failed to appear in Hamilton Magistrates Court last month a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was extradited from South Australia.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.