Ice dealer jailed for 5 1/2 years

A man found with 94g of high quality ice hidden in a small box under the hire car he was driving near Broome, has been jailed for 5½ years.

Aaron Clayton, 35, of Perth, was stopped during a routine vehicle inspection check on Broome Highway, near the Cape Leveque Road turn-off, in September 2014.

Police found the drugs in a box attached to the chassis by a large magnet and four clipseal bags inside containing the methylamphetamine.

A search of the car at Broome Police Station uncovered $4500 wrapped in tape and stuffed into a boot, a set of electronic scales disguised as a compact disc found in fabric behind the driver’s seat and a tick list in his backpack.

Clayton refused to be interviewed by police from the time of his arrest and denied possession of the drug.

His trial jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Anthony Derrick described methylamphetamine as a “dreadful drug”.

“It causes tremendous havoc in the community and is also responsible for a lot of crime committed in our community,” he said.

He said 38.2g of the total 94g was 75 or 76 per cent pure with the remaining 55.8g at 65 or 66 per cent pure.

Justice Derrick said the seriousness of the offence was aggravated by the purity of the methylamphetamine.

“According to the evidence given by an expert police officer at trial, its value in the North West of the State in 2014 would have been significantly in excess of $36,000,” he said.

Justice Derrick accepted Clayton used methylamphetamine but said he was satisfied his motivation was to make a substantial profit from the sale of a majority of the drugs found in his possession.

“I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you were at least a mid-range dealer, who would have sold methylamphetamine in amounts well above what is generally sold at street level,” he said.

Clayton was made eligible for parole and must serve a minimum of 3½ years in jail.