Nicolas Cristobal Fida: Wellington drug dealer sentenced

A solar farm worker who was caught with a huge stash of drugs told police he got them on “the dark web” and exchanged them for other drugs.

A 27-year-old Wellington man who was caught driving around Dubbo while high on drugs has been sentenced after he led police to his personal “stockpile” of MDMA, LSD and cannabis oil.

In court documents police said Nicolas Damian Cristobal Fida first came to their attention on August 16 last year at 3.30am, when he was driving around Dubbo and was pulled up for a breath test.

Wellington man Nicolas Fida outside Dubbo Local Court after he was sentenced for drug dealing. Picture: Ryan Young

After police noticed Fida had dilated pupils and was speaking slowly, he was asked if had drugs in the car.

Initially Fida denied having any drugs, however he later said “yes weed” when asked again.

After police discovered 16 tablets in a resealable bag under a seat in the car, Fida handed over another two bags containing cannabis.

“I give it to others and myself,” Fida told police.

As well as using the drugs himself, Fida said he exchanged them with friends of his in order to obtain other drugs for his own use.

Police said “he denied selling and receiving cash or money for supplying drugs”.

After further inquiries were made, police went to Fida’s home on Parkes Street in Wellington and conducted a search.

Inside they found 126 MDMA tablets and 80 LSD tablets wrapped in foil.

Two jars of cannabis oil were also found and Fida told police he sourced all the drugs from the “dark web” online.

Disgraced drug dealer Nicolas Fida is in Australia on a working visa. Picture: Ryan Young

Fida was charged with three counts of supplying a prohibited drug and, after pleading guilty, he appeared in Dubbo Local Court for sentencing on Wednesday.

Defence lawyer Vinith Vijay said Fida from Uruguay and on a working visa in Australia.

The court heard Fida worked on a solar farm at Wellington and had been diagnosed with a mild substance abuse disorder and depression.

“He tells me that in his home country of Uruguay cannabis has been legal for the past five years,” Mr Vijay said.

“It doesn’t appear that he was making commercial gain from sharing the drugs with his friends and work colleagues.”

Dubbo Local Court magistrate Gary Wilson convicted Nicolas Fida. Picture: Jedd Manning

Mr Vijay told the court Fida previously used MDMA four times a week, started using cannabis when he was 18 and had only shared drugs from his personal “stockpile”.

“Old habits do die hard,” Mr Vijay said.

“He’s enrolled in the Narcotics Anonymous group … he’s engaged in another drug and alcohol program.

“He’s never been in trouble before with police.”

Magistrate Gary Wilson said Fida had a “significant amount” of acid and MDMA in his possession.

Fida was convicted and sentenced to a 15-month term of imprisonment to be served in the community in the form of an intensive corrections order.