Rhys Johns will be sentenced for drug trafficking to fund his meth addiction

An addicted dealer “who’s destined to get nowhere” by smoking 3g of meth a day splurged on a significant amount of drugs after an online gambling win.

A drug dealer with an “overwhelming and voracious” addiction will continue living a dead end life unless he kicks his habit.

Rhys Aaron Johns, 29, splurged on a significant amount of methamphetamine after an online gambling win.

Rhys Johns. Picture: Facebook

A prosecutor told the Adelaide District Court on Wednesday that Johns was caught with 18g of methamphetamine and 82g of GHB, also known as fantasy, in April, last year.

He was placed on home detention bail.

Police searched Johns’ Parafield Gardens residence on January 7 and found 83g of methamphetamine, valued at over $20,000.

Johns, of Parafield Gardens, had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

Nick Vadasz, for Johns, told the court Johns, who has anxiety and depression, had been self-medicating with drugs.

“He appears to have acquired a methamphetamine problem at the time he first used it at 16,” he said.

The court heard Johns was smoking up to 3g of meth per day and has an “overwhelming and voracious” addiction.

“He stays at home and smokes drugs,” Mr Vadasz said.

“That has been his dead end life and he recognises that it’s a life of someone who’s destined to get nowhere.”

Judge Liesl Chapman said Johns must have been dealing significantly to fund his habit.

Mr Vadasz told the court that Johns had no trappings of wealth and wasn’t dealing purely for profit.

“He was involved in dealing to a limited quantity of people who he knew by first name … he wasn’t dealing to strangers,” he said.

“He and his partner tried to fight it (his addiction) to the best of their ability.”

Jessica Pitt. Photo: Facebook

John’s partner, Jessica Pitt, 23, is jointly charged with him for the January offending. She is yet to enter a plea and will next appear in court in October.

Mr Vadasz told the court that the amount of methamphetamine found by police in January was significantly larger than what Johns would usually buy.

“In December 2020, he won the amount of $15,000 on online gambling,” he said.

“As an addict he used the money to acquire a bigger amount than he normally would – in anticipation of using it and ongoing sales.”

Mr Vadasz told the court that Johns, who has been in custody since January 7, suffered a fractured eye socket during his arrest.

Judge Chapman adjourned the charges until October.