Ryan Bell, 19, of Dooley Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to trafficking cannabis.

He was convicted and placed on a 12-month corrections order with the condition he do 100 hours of unpaid community work and treatment for drug abuse.

The court heard police raided Bell's house on January 10 this year, locating three zip lock bags containing quantities of cannabis, and another two bags of cannabis dust.

Bell was arrested and conveyed to Warrnambool police station, where he allowed officers access to his mobile phone.

An analysis revealed messages between July 31 and November 26 last year, referring to the sale of cannabis.

In one message, Bell said: "Need bud? Me selling full time".

During a police interview, Bell made full admissions to the offending, stating he sold the drug in order to fund his own addiction.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann said Bell had got himself involved in something that could land him in prison.

"That's how serious selling drugs is," he said.

He said he accepted Bell had financial pressures and a reliance on cannabis that landed him in trouble.

But he said Bell couldn't "remain in this culture of drug use".

"If you keep going with this kid of conduct you might end up finding yourself in jail," the magistrate said.

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