A man who was busted with a traffickable quantity of drugs at his Delacombe address was charged and bailed, but continued his drug dealing business until he was arrested again three weeks later.
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Jarryd Fitzpatrick was living at the Rorey Street address with his girlfriend when police executed a search warrant on June 18, 2019.
He told police there were drugs in his garage and he was arrested.
Police discovered a total of 16.6 grams of methamphetamine, 31.6 grams of MDMA, 7.7 grams of ketamine and Xanax tablets.
A hydroponic set-up containing one cannabis plant, electronic scales, $1900 cash and $64 cash in American currency was located in the garage attached to the house. There were 14 grams of cannabis located in a vehicle nearby.
Fireworks, a mobile telephone, handmade firearm and $15,000 cash was discovered in the kitchen.
Fitzpatrick told police during an interview he sold the drugs, using a mobile phone application, to support himself after he lost his job. He was released on bail.
Police prosecutor Acting Sergeant Pearce said police returned to Fitzpatrick's address on July 8, 2019, to execute a second search warrant.
He told police there were drugs and a firearm in the kitchen and he was arrested. During the search, police discovered drugs, including 18 grams of cannabis, three grams of methamphetamine, 6.5 grams of cocaine, 3.71 grams of MDMA, two vials containing Xanax tablets and four vials containing GHB.
A loaded firearm, one round of shotgun ammunition, $1790 cash and a mobile phone were located, while Fitzpatrick was carrying $565 cash in his pocket.
He refused to be interviewed and was remanded in custody.
Defence lawyer Jon Irwin said his client's marriage broke down in 2018-19 and he lost his job in May, 2019. He said Fitzpatrick's drug dealing escalated to fund his own habit and to support his living expenses.
He said Fitzpatrick's health issues were compounded by his drug use, he had no drug trafficking priors and his baby was due next month.
Magistrate Hayley Bate said the firearms were the most concerning part of the charges.
"This offending requires me to give weight to community protections," Ms Bate said.
The prosecution submitted a significant term of imprisonment was within the range.
Fitzpatrick will undergo a psychiatric assessment before being sentenced. He was remanded in custody until December for a further plea and sentence hearing.
He pleaded guilty to drugs and firearms charges at the online Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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