Shane John Meads: Horsley Park man gets bail to attend drug rehab

The Australian Border Force has raised concerns about a Sydney man allegedly caught in country NSW with gun silencers, a rifle scope, cash and cannabis oil in his undies.

A Sydney man accused of cruising around a country town in the dark of night with a wad of suspicious material and allegedly assaulting cops who found cannabis oil in his underwear has been granted bail despite Australian Border Force officials raising concerns with police.

Horsley Park man Shane John Meads, 41, was charged with a string of offences after police stopped him for a random breath test on Brisbane Street in Dubbo at about 12.20am on April 13.

Shane Meads was granted conditional bail to attend rehab after police charged him with assaulting police in Dubbo and firearm offences. Picture: Fire Protection Association Australia

Police allege six firearm suppressors, almost $9000 in cash, three laptops, a rifle scope and other electronic devices and documentation were found when the Ford Ranger ute Mr Meads was driving was searched.

According to police, after a further search uncovered cannabis oil in Mr Meads’s underwear, he allegedly hit a male police officer in the face and ran into a nearby paddock.

It’s alleged a stun gun and capsicum spray had to be used by police in order to arrest Mr Meads.

He was charged with eight offences which included possess a prohibited weapon, three counts of assault police and lone counts of possess prohibited drug and have goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.

Mr Meads has entered no pleas.

Less than a week after he was charged and initially refused bail in Dubbo Local Court, Mr Meads applied for bail again after a place at a drug rehabilitation facility became available.

During the second bail hearing, police prosecutor Sergeant Edward Knight told the court Mr Meads had a “significant criminal history” which involved “successive terms of imprisonment with long parole periods”.

“The defendant is a large-scale dealer in drugs,” Sergeant Knight said.

The court heard after Mr Mead was charged on April 13, Australian Border Force officials contacted NSW Police with a report he allegedly attempted to import about 20 firearm suppressors.

Firearm parts police claim were found in Shane Meads's possession at Dubbo on April 13. Picture: NSW Police

Defence barrister Ben Barrack said the importation of firearm suppressors was an offence which only attracted a fine and Mr Meads had no history of illegal firearm possession or personal violence.

“He volunteered information about his criminal history,” Mr Barrack said.

“He was charged in February this year for being in possession of two grams of speed. All of his past offending is related to drug use.”

Mr Barrack said Mr Meads had set up a fire safety business and not been involved in any serious offending since his last stint in jail.

Firearm parts police allegedly found in Shane Meads's possession in Dubbo on April 13. Picture: NSW Police

While police found a picture on Mr Meads’s phone of him holding a firearm, Mr Barrack said the image was taken in a rural setting where “vermon issues” were significant and feral animal hunting took place.

“He has no history of noncompliance, there is an issue with drug use,” he told the court.

Mr Barracks said Mr Meads had been offered a place at a rehabilitation facility on the NSW central coast and needed bail to attend the facility for about six months.

“There’ll be urine testing, he won’t be able to use the internet or phone.

“It’s all but jail.”

Magistrate Gary Wilson granted Mr Meads bail on the condition he go straight from Wellington jail to the rehabilitation facility, surrender his passport, not leave NSW and not access technology.

The case returns to court in May.