Matthew Christopher John Grant set for trial on drug charges
A Mackay man is facing dozens of charges including trafficking in dangerous drugs after police took out a search warrant on his home.
A Mackay man who is facing an array of drug charges after police raided his home will fight to clear his name in the high court after his lawyers questioned the credibility of the search warrant.
On March 3, 2024, police conducted an inspection of Matthew Christopher John Grant’s home while trying to locate a stolen Mercedes Benz.
In the home, officers found quantities of meth, cannabis, MDMA and cannabis production, the court heard.
Later that year, police conducted a second warrant and allege they found evidence of trafficking drugs, supplying and unlawful documents on how to produce cannabis.
Mr Grant appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on 38 charges, 24 of those being committed to the Supreme Court.
His lawyer, Robert Beamish from McKay Solicitors, questioned a senior constable who carried out the search warrant after receiving an anonymous tip off of a stolen car at an Andergrove address.
The court heard police officers conducted the search warrant at Mr Grant’s home which was a separate address mentioned in the tip off.
Mr Beamish questioned the senior constable on why his client’s home was raided to begin with, suggesting that the officer didn’t conduct any inquiries in relation to the stolen car.
During a lengthy cross examination, the officer disagreed, telling the court he used his “common sense” when trying to locate the missing Mercedes Benz when the address he was given didn’t match.
“I have a job here where as you have third or fourth hand information that a car is somewhere on Wattle Street which I know to be a very lovely area with very expensive houses,” he said.
“So I’ve used my common sense to say ‘hey, this is where I think we should start patrolling, start here and work our way’.”
The court heard Mr Grant’s house stood out from the rest of the street which prompted officers to search the home and question the occupants.
Mr Grant’s case was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a date yet to be confirmed by the DPP.
