Regan Cox’s man cave found to hold meth and cannabis

A Barossa man has been fined after he was busted with meth, marijuana and a number of bongs and pipes in his man cave, and cannabis plants in his shed.

A Greenock man used his man cave to store meth, cannabis, pipes, bongs and used another shed to grow his own cannabis a Tanunda magistrate heard on Monday.
Regan Cox, 45, pleaded guilty to cultivating more than a prescribed number of cannabis plants with artificially enhanced cultivation and possessing prescribed equipment.

The police prosecutor said officers attended Cox’s house in Greenock on February 28 where they found 10 ice smoking devices and multiple marijuana water pipes in the shed Cox described as his man cave.

They also and small amount of cannabis as well as a small amount of crystallised substance believed to be methamphetamine, both of which were dealt with via an expiation notice.

Police also found two hydroponically grown cannabis plants in another garage, grown with four lamp shades and ballast boxes, there were also another three cannabis plants growing in the ground at the rear of the shed.

Regan Cox outside the Tanunda Magistrates Court. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Cox, who works in labour hire, told police he owned the premises, has lived there with his partner for eight years and only grew the cannabis plants for personal use.

The prosecutor told Magistrate Terrence Forrest that Cox had previously been found guilty of driving under the influence of meth on November 3, 2019, losing his licence for six months from July 20, 2020.
Cox was also found guilty of cultivating a prescribed number of cannabis plants and possessing cannabis on January 1, 2008, with a $500 fine issued.
On 25 March 2002 he fronted the Tanunda court for producing a controlled substance with no conviction recorded.
Cox admitted the allegations and gave no explanation to Magistrate Forrest.

“Mr Cox it would seem that every 10 years or so you get into trouble with the law,” Magistrate Forrest said.

“Cannabis was the problem in 2002 again in 2008, and now in 2021 police have found a couple of plants grown hydroponically a couple in the ground.”
“You were growing the plants for personal use, but that’s still unlawful, you’ve pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity but for each offence a conviction will be recorded with the plants and equipment forfeited.”

Cox was fined a discounted $300 for each offence and ordered to victims of crime levy, prosecution fee and court filing fee.