A FAILED Bathurst nightclub owner is facing gaol after pleading guilty this week to the cultivation of hydroponic cannabis with a street value of $140,000.
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The downhill slide of wheelchair-bound businessman Malcolm Vincent Pollard, 42, led to his arrest over possession of drugs Bathurst sheriff's officers found when they evicted him from rented premises.
Bathurst Local Court this week heard Pollard enter pleas of guilty to serious drug cultivation and possession charges involving 70 plants grown in a wardrobe and garage in Wolery Close, Kelso.
Pollard has been remanded on $5000 bail to be sentenced by the Local Court on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Bathurst Court House.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brett Donaghy told the court sheriff's officers went to Wolery Close, Kelso to serve an eviction notice on Pollard about noon on Friday, September 29.
Sgt Donaghy tendered a police statement of facts outlining the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the cannabis plants.
The statement indicated Pollard's nightclub business had failed. He had resided in Fleming Drive, Bathurst for 19 years but had not been able to maintain mortgage payments of $3800 per month.
The statement indicated Pollard was not home at the Kelso address when sheriff's officers arrived. A boarder in the house invited them in and they noticed plastic cups containing 31 healthy, mature cannabis plants 15-40 centimetres in height, grown in a wardrobe with the assistance of a heat lamp.
Pollard had returned home when police were called, but would not consent to an interview. However, he told police he was the only person with access to the wardrobe.
Police also found glad bags containing cannabis leaf in an ensuite. Again Pollard declined to be interviewed but admitted being the person with access to the ensuite.