A RANDOM breath test has resulted in a man being convicted on two counts of possessing a prohibited drug after the officers saw a set of drug scales in the console of his car.
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Thomas Fenualelei, 21, of Gillian Place in Orange did not appear to answer two charges of possessing a prohibited drug in the Bathurst Local Court on June 17.
The two matters were subsequently dealt with in his absence by visiting magistrate, Mr McIntosh.
The court was told that police officers were patrolling William Street, Bathurst about 11.10pm on May 3 this year when they pulled over Fenualelei for a random breath test.
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The test returned a negative reading.
Police facts outlined how officers requested Fenualelei's driver's licence and as he produced it police saw a small set of electronic scales, which are primarily used to weigh prohibited drugs, in the centre console of the car.
Checks upon the accused's licence revealed drug-related incidents and police questioned the accused about his drug use and possession.
He gave inconsistent and vague answers, the court was told.
When asked if he was in the possession of any prohibited drugs he hesitated, broke eye contact with police and answered "no".
Police utilised searched the accused and his vehicle.
They located a small bag of cannabis and an MDMA capsule within his bumbag. Inside the car the found a glass jar of cannabis leaf.
The accused was questioned and cautioned.
The conversation was electronically recorded as the accused made full admissions to both the possession of drugs and said it was for personal use.
He was charged and issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice. Police seized the drugs and took them back to Bathurst police station for processing.
On the first charge, possessing a prohibited drug, MDMA, Fenualelei was convicted and fined $250.
On the second charge of possessing a prohibited drug, cannabis leaf, he was convicted and fined $200.
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