Convicted heroin dealer Dennis John Pitts bailed after allegedly being caught with guns and drugs

A man with a history of violence and drug dealing has fronted court after he allegedly sped away from interstate police driving a car with drugs and weapons in the back.

A convicted drug dealer with a history of violence has been granted bail to his Housing SA home after being caught allegedly driving a car with guns and drugs in it, despite police fears he may be a “flight risk”, a court has heard.

Dennis John Pitts, 49, sped off back across the border to SA after the two men he was travelling with in Victoria were allegedly found with drugs and firearms during a traffic stop.

A police prosecutor told the Mount Gambier Magistrate’s Court police were waiting outside Mr Pitt’s home in Mount Gambier, 10 minutes after receiving a tip off from Victorian police.

“They observed the same vehicle pull into the driveway. He was the owner occupant of the vehicle and his address was searched,” a police prosecutor said.

Located behind the rear passenger seat police found 62 grams of methamphetamine, a pen gun and a small handheld taser, the court heard.

Drugs and weapons seized at Mount Gambier. Picture: SA Police

Drugs and weapons seized at Mount Gambier. Picture: SA Police

A search of Mr Pitts’ house uncovered a small amount of cannabis, a large amount of plastic deal-bags, two sets of scales, knuckle dusters, and a spring loaded knife and roughly $180 in cash, a court has heard.

Mr Pitts has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a prescribed firearm without a licence and possession of a dangerous article.

A court heard Mr Pitts had served four months imprisonment for trafficking heroin in 2011.

“We are opposed to bail, all forms of bail,” a police prosecutor said.

“He does have a history of similar offending including breaching his bail.

The man’s defence lawyer Jarrad Sim told the court Mr Pitts could be facing a two-year wait in jail before the matter was brought to trial.

The court heard the vehicle Mr Pitts was driving was registered to one of the men arrested in Victoria and he told police he “had no knowledge of those items in the vehicle”.

“(Housing SA) say that he is an excellent tenant and had no issues with him being on home detention at the address,” Mr Sim said.

“He is also the full time carer of his 15-year-old daughter who resides with him.”

Magistrate Lynette Duncan released Mr Pitt, who has been in custody for nearly two weeks since his arrest, on strict home detention bail.

He will next front court in April 2023.