IT specialist Amit Kumar charged with drug supply

A businessman previously convicted for possessing 80 grams of meth, which was found by police investigating a house fire at his Miranda home, is facing new charges of drug supply.

An IT specialist has been refused bail for allegedly supplying meth only three months after he narrowly avoided being sent to jail when $30,000 in drugs were found inside his Miranda home.

Amit Kumar, 37, appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday following his arrest for allegedly supplying and possessing drugs.

In May, Kumar was placed on an intensive correction order after police discovered 80 grams of meth when investigating the source of a house fire at his home.

At the time, Magistrate Philip Stewart decided to show leniency towards Kumar and not send him into full time prison because he had sought treatment for his drug addiction through rehabilitation programs and had a history of mental health.

On Tuesday he refused to grant Kumar bail.

Amit Kumar pictured at Sutherland Local Court after he was previously was found with 80 grams of drugs worth about $30,000 following a fire inside his Miranda home. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Documents tendered to court said Kumar was found sitting in his car in the early hours of Tuesday, when he was spoken to by police and they searched his car.

Officers allegedly found a crystal substance which they say was later weighed and confirmed to be 1.94 grams of meth.

Police also allegedly found drug paraphernalia in the car and a short time later they noticed a man approach Kumar’s car but then turn around.

Officers spoke to the man who claimed he did not know Kumar.

Police also found a safe in Kumar car’s, which upon being opened contained bags of a crystal substance, allegedly 5.48 grams of meth along with a digital scale, pipe and syringe.

Kumar was taken to a police station and charged with supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited drug.

In court on Tuesday, Kumar’s defence lawyer submitted bail conditions, including a curfew and a $5000 surety from Kumar’s brother, could mitigate the risk.

The lawyer said Kumar lived with his parents, had his family’s support and significant ties to the community by being a self-employed IT technician and studying teaching at university.

Kumar’s lawyer said his client admitted to possessing the meth, adding the drug paraphernalia was for personal use but denied the supply charge.

He said the prosecution case was not strong given there was no police surveillance of an alleged drug deal taking place.

The lawyer noted the alleged crime did not appear sophisticated nor planned and his client, if refused bail, could spend more time on remand than he would receive for a sentence.

Magistrate Philip Stewart said drug supply affected the community, adding Kumar was already serving a jail term in the community for drug supply offences.

The case was adjourned to September 27.