Addict paroled after ‘no case’ plea on possession

charge of drug possession. Gabbert was targeted by police for suspected methamphetamine trafficking as part of the lengthy investigation, Operation North Shellstar, that began in January 2015.

The court heard that on February 1, 2016, police intercepted Gabbert on Flinders Street. A search of his car uncovered 5g of cannabis.

Crown prosecutor

Aaron

Dunkerton said that two days later police executed a search warrant at Gabbert’s house.

“Located in a rear shed at the property was a storage device, disguised as a WD-40 spray can. Within that can was 4.771g of substance containing 3.664g of pure methamphetamine,” he said.

“The defendant was also found in possession of 2g of cannabis and a plastic bong.”

Mr Dunkerton said Gabbert had a “lengthy and complicated history in the courts” that contained previous lowlevel drug charges.

The court heard that Gabbert began using drugs at the age of 15.

Defence barrister Alastair Mcdougall said his client had “struggled with drug abuse for a long period of time”.

Mr Mcdougall told Justice

David Jackson that his client had an upstanding work history and was supported in court by 12 family members and employees.

As Justice Jackson expressed his concern at Gabbert’s lifelong drug struggle, Gabbert stood in the dock shaking his head.

“You are a continuing abuser of dangerous drugs; your background is cannabis but also the use of amphetamines and methamphetamine for many years,” he said.

“I accept the purposes of this sentence, you were a person who was a user who had an addicted habit.”

After declaring the 105 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time already served, Justice Jackson sentenced Gabbert to 18 months in jail with immediate parole.