Adam Burston was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for drug and firearms offences

A young man caught with a significant drug stash told police he had only armed himself with what he believed were fake guns in case he needed to scare someone.

An armed drug dealer caught with a significant amount of methamphetamine in his bumbag was selling to fund his own habit, a court has heard.

Adam Beau Burston, 21, will learn what jail is like for the first time, after telling police he didn’t believe the guns he had in his possession were real.

The Adelaide District Court last month heard that police stopped Burston and his friend in Mallala on April 26 last year.

“The police had been on the lookout for your vehicle after receiving information that you were associated with drug trafficking in the mid-North,” Judge Karen Thomas said during sentencing.

Police found two unloaded guns and a Nike bumbag, which contained three resealable bags with over 15g of methamphetamine, as well as digital scales.

Adam Beau Burston was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for drug trafficking and possessing firearms. Photo: Instagram

Burston was arrested and when interviewed, he told police he had received the guns a couple of days earlier without knowing who owned them.

“You told police that your intention in taking them was maybe to just have them or perhaps scare someone if you ever needed to scare someone,” Judge Thomas said.

“You also said you did not believe they were real, even though you touched two of them after you took them.”

Judge Thomas said she did not accept this explanation, saying drug dealers are notorious for resorting to guns to protect their interests.

The court heard Burston, who is classified as a mid-level street dealer, had access to large quantities of MDMA and was supplying other dealers and users.

Burston, of Munno Para West, had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing firearms.

The court heard he had used a variety of drugs, including MDMA, GHB, also known as fantasy and steroids, and started selling drugs to support his own habit.

Burston, was convicted of arson in May, after he accompanied members of an outlaw motorcycle club on July 12, last year.

Police alleged Burston and others poured petrol over the car and set it alight, completely destroying it in the targeted attack.

“I understand your role was significant in terms of you setting fire to the car in the victim’s driveway,” Judge Thomas said.

The court heard Burston, who has been abstinent from drugs since last year, had been working alongside his father in their family concrete and demolition business.

Judge Thomas sentenced Burston to four years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of two years and five months.

“Firearm offences represent a real and serious threat to public safety,” she said.

“Abuse of illicit drugs places a substantial burden on society in treating and managing addiction, as well as dealing with the crimes often committed by addicts to support their habits.”