Mitchell Harris, charged with drug and gun offences, to face court again next month

Lawyers for an alleged drug trafficker have asked for a charge to be dismissed following a “significant” delay due to results of a drug analysis.

Mitchell Harris was allegedly found with methamphetamine and a firearm in his car. Picture: Facebook

Counsel for a man charged with drug and gun offences has asked for a charge to be dismissed following a “significant” delay due to results of a substance test.

Mitchell Charles Mitch Harris, 28, will need to wait at least another six-weeks to find out whether the substance allegedly found in his car is methamphetamine.

Harris was stopped by police at Croydon Park on July 12, last year.

“Essentially it’s an arrest where Mr Harris was stopped in a car … and there was a firearm found and a quantity of methamphetamine,” a police prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard the substance found, which is alleged to be methamphetamine, was submitted for testing on August 31 but results were not due back until the end of January.

The police prosecutor said they were seeking a six-week adjournment for the drug analysis to be completed.

Mitchell Harris was allegedly found with methamphetamine and a firearm in his car. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate David McLeod asked how prosecution knew the substance was methamphetamine if the analysis hadn’t been completed yet.

“I suspect there was a presumptive test but I don’t know that for certain,” the police prosecutor said.

Mr McLeod said it seemed “extraordinary” that the charge was seven months old and the prosecution was still trying to work out if the substance was methamphetamine.

Harris, of Croydon Park, is charged with drug trafficking, possessing a firearm without a licence and possessing a prescription drug.
He is yet to enter any pleas.

Kate Budzynski, for Harris, submitted that the charges be dismissed or Harris have his home detention bracelet removed because of the “significant” delay.

“Mr Harris has spent some time in custody in relation to this matter and he’s currently subject to onerous home detention conditions,” she said.

Mr McLeod said he felt Harris’ pain but complications such as COVID-19 and the Christmas break would have delayed the testing.

“He’s charged with very serious offences,” he said

Mr McLeod said they would “look favourably” at counsel’s submissions if prosecution still couldn’t determine the drug trafficking charge by the next occasion.

The charges were adjourned until February 25.