Drug dealer avoids prison

A MAN who was set to be a “one-stop shop” for drugs at Falls Festival in Lorne has avoided jail.

Protective Services Officers found a smorgasbord of drugs in Cooper Stuckey’s backpack on December 27.

They discovered 26g of the hallucinogenic ketamine, 25g of ecstasy, 157 LSD tabs, 3.88g of ice and 2.49g of cannabis stashed in his backpack.

A knife, $5000 cash, digital scale and clear zip lock bags were also found during the bust, the Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard this week.

The court was told Stuckey, 20, from Highton, was nabbed drug affected near the Geelong train station at 1am on December 27 after PSOs watched him loitering there with two others for more than an hour.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable David Vanderpol said Stuckey told police he intended to sell the drugs at Falls Festival and admitted to trafficking.

“He admitted to using drugs daily,” Sen-Constable Vanderpol said. “(He told police he would) keep a small proportion for personal use.”

Lawyer Simon O’Halloran said his client’s drug-addled state at the time of his arrest was part of the reason for his admissions.

He said the community corrections order imposed on his client yesterday would “hopefully rehabilitate” him.

Magistrate Peter Mellas said Stuckey intended to be a “one-stop shop” for drugs at Falls Festival. “(You were) up to your eyeballs in criminality,” Mr Mellas said. He scolded Stuckey for his behaviour, particularly in light of recent overdoses at music festivals.

Stuckey will be required to complete 150 hours community service and undergo treatment for drug use as part of his community corrections order.

He is prevented from leaving Victoria for the next 16 months. Stuckey, who spent 21 days in custody before sentencing yesterday, pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis, ice, LSD, ketamine and ecstasy. And possessing proceeds of crime and a weapon.

A Camperdown man and Highton woman also arrested with Stuckey were given drug diversion notices last year.

“(You were) up to your eyeballs in criminality.” MAGISTRATE PETER MELLAS