Cody Steven Lefever, 22, of Sherborne Place, Glendenning, appeared in person and unrepresented before magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court on February 12, charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited drug.

The court heard how the general manager of Rydges Mount Panorama contacted police on July 17, 2017 after staff found an amount of drugs, cash and a driver’s licence within a safe when cleaning the room.

Police attended and seized the drugs. They spoke to staff and found the room was booked by the accused for one night.

Staff at the hotel told police that at some stage during his stay, Lefever contacted the front desk requiring assistance as he had locked the safe and couldn’t recall the code to open it.

Staff on duty were not able to open the safe, and the accused checked out on July 15, paying $15 in cash for items used in the mini bar.

The room was not used again until two days later, when a maintenance worker for Rydges opened the safe.

The following items were found: nine capsules of MDA, three buds of GVM (cannabis) wrapped in foil, one clear bag containing three capsules of MDMA, one orange pharmaceutical tablet, one clear bag containing two buds of GVM (cannabis), one wallet with the accused’s driver’s licence and $125 in cash.

Police attended the accused's residence on November 27 and his driver’s licence and cash were returned to him.

He agreed to an interview and admitted to possession of the items found in the safe, stating it was for personal use.