Mitchell Harris had home detention conditions loosened, charged with manufacturing drugs

A dealer who dodged jail was allegedly found with clan lab materials in his garage months later but said some could simply be “innocent” gym supplements, a court has heard.

A carpenter who allegedly collected instruments to start a clandestine lab months after dodging jail for drug dealing has been allowed more freedom on bail.

Mitchell Charles Harris, 30, applied to the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday to have his home detention conditions loosened for work and fitness purposes.

Eleanor Whish-Wilson, for Mr Harris, said her client had been subcontracted for work on Kangaroo Island and also wanted to be able to go to the gym.

Mr Harris was granted home detention bail in October, with a stern warning it was his
“final chance”.

Mitchell Charles Harris, caught with a BB gun and meth during an arrest leaves the district court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

The court heard police attended a Woodville North address on September 20 after information there was a firearm at the address.

“Upon searching the address police located a number of items and chemicals consistent with the manufacture of GHB,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard police found a 20L reaction vessel, a 50L reaction vessel and 2kg of a precursor in the garage.

Mitchell Harris is charged with manufacturing a controlled drug. Picture: Facebook

Ms Whish-Wilson told the court Mr Harris recently had tenants leave the other house he owned directly in front of his and moved items from their garage to his.

“All of these items … have innocent uses, for example the reaction vessels can make alcohol, the gamma-aminobutyric acid is a legal gym supplement,” she said.

Ms Whish-Wilson said even with the prosecution’s case at its highest the alleged lab was not active or producing materials.

The court heard if Mr Harrison was convicted of manufacturing a controlled drug he would breach a suspended sentence bond.

Harris was handed a suspended sentence in May on drug and gun charges after he was found in July, 2020 with 7.97g of meth, a BB gun, $4300 cash hidden behind the glove box, four mobile phones and prescription drugs.

Ms Whish-Wilson said Mr Harris returned to Adelaide from Perth in 2021 with a severe meth addiction but was given the chance to dodge jail, due to the “wealth of evidence” he had rehabilitated.

Chief Magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal granted Mr Harris freedom of movement between 6am and 9pm.

The charge was adjourned until April to link up with Mr Harris’ co-accused.