Andrew David Fox sentenced after selling Buprenorphine strips he obtained on prescription from a Hindley St pharmacy

A man with a lengthy criminal history was selling drugs used to treat opioid use disorder on the black market after purchasing them from a Hindley St pharmacy.

A man with a lengthy criminal history was selling a strictly controlled drug on the black market after purchasing it from a Hindley St chemist, a court has heard.

Andrew David Fox appeared in the District Court on September 13 where he was sentenced for two counts of trafficking in a controlled drug.

Judge Emily Telfer said Fox, now 53, was arrested as part of an undercover operation focused on the Central Station Pharmacy in Adelaide’s CBD and the sale of Buprenorphine strips – used to treat opioid use disorder – in September 2021.

“(Buprenorphine) is a drug which has a value on the black market which is evidenced by your offending in this matter,” she said.

“I note that you accessed the drug by a lawful prescription but you permitted the drug that you were entrusted with for your own medical needs to be diverted onto the black market for a cash return.”

Central Station Pharmacy off of Hindley St. Picture: Supplied

Judge Telfer said the undercover operative initially approached the pharmacy on September 9, 2021, and purchased five strips from another man, before returning two days later, and being assisted by Fox, purchased three more.

“The undercover operative gave you $50 and you provided her with three strips of Buprenorphine and $10 in change,” she said.

“Three days later, on September 14, the undercover operative located you and (the other man) in Bank St in the city. You provided her with three further Buprenorphine strips and she handed you $40.”

Judge Telfer said the operative was sold another strip later that morning.

The Advertiser understands the pharmacy has been under new ownership since September last year.

It is not alleged the pharmacy or its employees have engaged in any wrongdoing.

Central Station Pharmacy on Hindley Street Picture: Supplied

Judge Telfer said Fox was serving a suspended sentence on a good behaviour bond at the time of the offending.

“You have been imprisoned on a number of occasions and you have had the benefit of a large number of suspended sentence bonds, many of which you have breached by further offending,” she said.

“You do have a long and entrenched history of drug abuse. Your addictions over time included alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis.”

Fox was sentenced to one year, 11 months and 25 days imprisonment with a non-parole period of 12 months.

The sentence was suspended with Fox ordered to enter a good behaviour bond of two years.