Giddy up and away you go
Horse drug user saddled with fine and told: ‘Go for a run’
A MAN took drugs meant for horses in order to lose weight and fuel his body image problem, a court wast told.
Levi Shane Powe, 21, yesterday pleaded guilty to drugs charges after police raided his Surfers Paradise unit in November to discover he and six other men with 65 clenbuterol tablets, 30 diazepam (also known as Valium) tablets, about five Viagra tablets, a small amount of cocaine, part of a xanax tablet and a bowl containing cannabis residue.
Lawyer Ashkan Tai, of Ashkan Tai Lawyers, said his client had acquired the clenbuterol tablets for weight loss.
“He has an image problem ... he has a problem with fat,” he said.
“He wants to maintain this image.
“Everyone wants to look like that, it’s the Gold Coast.”
Mr Tai told the court the drug was not meant for human consumption.
“You get it (clenbuterol) from a vet – it’s for horses with bronchitis,” he said.
“He purchased some from a gentleman at his gym.”
The court was told the Viagra had been obtained because the men were expecting company later that day.
Mr Tai said his client was really a “good kid” with a “minor” criminal history who made a mistake.
“The reason for the Viagra ... they were expecting a surprise,” he said. “They were expecting some friends to come over. He’s made a mistake, he should have known better.”
Magistrate Bernadette Cal- laghan chastised Powe for his use of illegal weight loss pills and encouraged the 21-yearold to seek help.
“It’s just so silly. Have you got any idea what you must be doing to your liver?” she said.
“You’re young and healthy. Go for a run and go and speak to somebody about body image.”
Magistrate Callaghan said she also had to take into account the large quantity of drugs found in the Ferny Avenue apartment.
Southport Magistrates Court was yesterday told the small amount of cocaine found in a clip seal bag and traces on a gift card were only for Powe’s personal use.
The Surfers Paradise-based loans approval manager was convicted and fined $800 and walked free from court yesterday.