A two-time drug dealer found with more than 200 grams of cannabis worth about $1500 has been jailed for three months.
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Michael Parore, 36, of Old Peterborough Road, Peterborough, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to trafficking cannabis and committing offences while on bail for assault-related charges.
The court heard he was bailed on the assault-related charges on April 20 this year, with a condition not to use a drug of dependence.
Then on August 12, a search warrant executed at the man's home uncovered 202 grams of cannabis.
The drugs were found in various locations throughout the house and in different sized zip-lock bags.
About 158 grams of cannabis was located in a blue trunk that was buried in the backyard, the court heard.
Parore provided police with the pin code to his two mobile phones, which upon analysis uncovered messages relating to people obtaining cannabis from him.
He told police he gave the drugs to a friend but did not sell it.
He admitted to smoking cannabis every night despite knowing it would breach his bail.
Lawyer Matthew Pitkin told the court his client lost his job due to the coronavirus pandemic and had spiralled back into drug use.
He said cannabis "waxed and waned" throughout Parore's adult life but after spending 33 days in custody, he did not want to re-engage with drugs.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann said it was the second time Parore had been convicted of drug trafficking.
He said drug-related offending was "speckled" through the man's criminal history, although admitted the previous drug trafficking offence was almost 10 years ago.
Parore was jailed for three months with 33 days already served in custody on remand.
He was also fined $500 with $84.40 in court costs.
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