Austin Cho charged with possessing heroin and meth at Cabramatta drug spot

An aspiring criminologist attempted to kick bags of meth and heroin underneath his driver’s seat after he told police he was ordering a steak at a well-known drug spot in Sydney’s southwest.

Austin Cho appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.

An aspiring criminologist attempted to kick bags of meth and heroin underneath his driver’s seat after he told police he was ordering a steak at a well-known drug spot in Sydney’s southwest, a court has heard.

Austin Cho, 38, appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing prohibited drugs after police discovered 0.23g of meth and 0.31g heroin inside his vehicle near the intersection of Fisher and Broomfield St, Cabramatta on June 28.

Agreed facts state police found Cho’s vehicle parked in the vicinity of a well-known drug location where Cho was “looking into his lap” and “appeared panicked and anxious”.

When questioned by police, Cho said he drove to Cabramatta to order a steak from the

Austin Cho appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.

“Cho was exhibiting progressively slurred speech, flat affect with limited facial expressions, glazed eyes and was sweating profusely,” the facts state.

Following further checks police found Cho’s licence was suspended from April and uncovered a history of drug crime and “adverse associations with persons well known for serious drug crime”.

When police told Cho to exit the vehicle for a search he became highly agitated and refused to get out of the car.

“As police opened the door to assist Cho out of the vehicle he was observed dragging his foot and kicking an object underneath the driver’s seat,” the facts state.

Liverpool Local Court.

“Upon searching the vehicle police located a small clear resealable bag containing a white crystal substance and another small clear resealable bag containing a white powder substance in the driver side foot-well of the vehicle.”

Cho’s lawyer said his client has shown “sincere remorse about this stupid decision” and has learnt his lesson from sheer embarrassment.

Despite his plea for a non conviction, Magistrate Julie Zaki said the court had already extended that leniency on a previous drug charge.

“I accept his remorse and the early plea of guilty … but it is not appropriate to extend the leniency of the court (and grant a non-conviction),” she said.

Cho was convicted and fined a total of $250 for both charges.