Alice Springs dope dealer, 62, could face deportation after leaving Netherlands as a baby
A 62-YEAR-OLD ALICE Springs permanent resident, who left the Netherlands as a baby, could face deportation after he was caught selling cannabis
Northern Territory
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AN ALICE Springs permanent resident who left the Netherlands as a baby could face deportation after he was caught selling cannabis last year.
John Van Der Shuit, 62, pleaded guilty in Alice Springs Supreme Court to supplying and possessing cannabis and possessing tainted property.
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Defence lawyer Carly Ingles told the court Van Der Shuit left the Netherlands as a six-month-old baby and spent time as a permanent resident in New Zealand and Australia.
“He’s a permanent resident, that then means … the issue of deportation actually raises its head in this case,” she said.
Ms Ingles asked for the court to adjourn the matter until a decision was reached on the case of Queen v Calica where the NT Supreme Court is deciding if and how deportation can be taken into account in sentencing.
In January last year, NT Police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s house and found a trafficable quantity of cannabis weighing 351 grams. They also found scales, clip-seal bags and $32,655 cash.
Crown prosecutor Simon Lapinski said the full extent of the drug dealing operation was unknown.
“The total number of the offender’s transactions or offences are unknown, likewise the precise extent and duration of his operations to receive those tainted properties is unknown,” he said.
Van Der Shuit spent 64 days in jail before being granted bail to attend a rehab program.
Ms Ingles said her client’s offending began shortly after his partner died from an aggressive form of cancer.
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“The offending came about following Mr Van Der Shuit ceasing full-time work to care full-time for his partner,” she said.
“Following (her) passing away … Mr Van Der Shuit was consumed with grief and did not immediately return to employment.
“Prior to getting his life into better shape, he was arrested for this offending.”
Justice Dean Mildren adjourned the case until August.
Originally published as Alice Springs dope dealer, 62, could face deportation after leaving Netherlands as a baby