SA Police officer Adam Troy Zauch pleads guilty to five counts of trafficking cocaine

An SA Police officer who was due to stand trial for drug trafficking has had a last-minute change of heart.

An SA Police officer who was due to stand trial for drug trafficking has had a last-minute change of heart – confessing to dealing cocaine while serving as a cop.

Standing silently in the dock of the South Australian District Court on Friday morning, former cop Adam Troy Zauch pleaded guilty to five counts of trafficking in a controlled drug.

In January last year, Zauch, 39 of Somerton Park, denied he had been trafficking cocaine and was scheduled to fight the charges at trial.

Adam Zauch leaving court after confessing to cocaine trafficking. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Zauch was a serving SA Police officer when he was arrested by detectives from the Anti-Corruption Section in April, 2023.

He was charged with having trafficked in a controlled drug on February 16, 17 and 18, and on March 3 and 4, of that year.

It was a last minute plea after he’d previously denied dealing drugs. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The court on Friday heard he was alleged to have trafficked cocaine in both Adelaide and his home suburb of Somerton Park.

Each count against him was read out, and to each he answered “guilty”.

Zauch was remanded on continuing bail to return to court again later this month when a date will be set for sentencing submissions.

Outside court, Zauch declined to comment on the status of his role as a police officer, nor why he turned to drug offending.

SA Police did not comment on his case, but told The Advertiser Zauch had been dismissed from the force in May this year.