Sam Kerin: Dubbo butchery owner charged with alleged drug dealing

A business owner who allegedly set a ute on fire for an insurance payout is now facing a string of meth supply and firearm charges.

A 28-year-old Dubbo butcher is facing the prospect of time behind bars after he was accused by police of committing a string of drug dealing and firearms offences.

Police charged Samuel John Kerin with supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and a string of other drug supply offences on Tuesday.

Sam Kerin, owner of Buninyong Butchery in Dubbo, has been charged with a string of drug supply offences. Picture: Facebook/Sam Kerin

According to court documents, Mr Kerin is alleged to have knowingly taken part in the supply of 56 grams of methamphetamine between October and November.

Police allege Mr Kerin also supplied 5.25 grams of meth on other dates in October and that he organised a drug premises at a Pinnaroo Place property.

Some time between October 23 and October 28, police allege Mr Kerin intentionally set fire to a Toyota Hilux in order to obtain $22,500 through a fraudulent insurance claim.

Mr Kerin entered no pleas when he appeared for a bail hearing on Wednesday in Dubbo Local Court where it emerged he was also fighting multiple firearms charges.

According to court documents, Mr Kerin pleaded not guilty to five firearm offences including using a prohibited weapon and allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms on November 17.

In court, defence lawyer Jai Silkman said the fact sheet detailing Mr Kerin’s alleged drug crimes had made it “hard to grasp” the strength of the police case against his client and it would be challenging for police to prove guilt.

“There’s nothing in there to indicate how surveillance was undertaken,” Mr Silkman told the court.

“The police are relying on telephone intercepts or listening devices, coded language and things like that.”

Dubbo Local Court magistrate Theresa Hamilton allowed Sam Kerin to be released on bail. Picture: Ryan Young

Mr Silkman said Mr Kerin owned a butcher shop, had denied involvement in the supply of drugs and came before the court with no history of drug-related offences.

“He’s in the process of moving that shop … he owns his own house,” Mr Silkman said.

“I’ve spoken to Mr Kerin’s parents and they would be willing to put up a surety of up to $5000 if the court required.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Michelle Bartlett said the police case against Mr Kerin was strong.

“He is a self-confessed drug user, that is the motivation for the supply of drugs, to support his own habit,” Sergeant Bartlett said.

“It is a known fact that supplying drugs in a community like Dubbo has absolutely devastating and far reaching effects.”

Sgt Bartlett told the court Mr Kerin was serving a term of imprisonment in the community, in the form of an intensive corrections order, at the time of his alleged drug dealing.

She said if Mr Kerin was convicted there was “a very real possibility a term of imprisonment” in an actual jail would be imposed.

The court heard after Mr Kerin was charged with the firearm offences, he was granted bail which Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said “he hasn’t breached”.

“He has previously been fined for possessing firearms,” Magistrate Hamilton said.

“I agree that a custodial sentence is a likely outcome if he’s convicted of these offences.

“It seems to me it’s likely to be some time until these issues are fully resolved.”

Magistrate Hamilton said bail could be granted to Mr Kerin with conditions attached which would “mitigate the risk of his reoffending”.

He was granted bail on the basis that he report to Dubbo Police Station daily and that an acceptable person deposit a $3000 surety.

Mr Kerin’s case returns to court in December.