James Mina: drug dealer caught drug driving in Sylvania

A convicted drug dealer has been caught out on the wrong side of the law less than a year since he was sentenced for dealing party drugs from his parents’ waterfront mansion.

A convicted drug dealer who landed in court after he was found dealing party drugs from his parents’ waterfront mansion has now been caught drug driving less than a year later.

James Mina, 24, was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order in September 2020 for prohibited drug supply and prohibited drug possession, with seven additional charges considered as part of the sentencing.

Court documents had revealed police found 20.48g of cocaine, 4.32g of MDMA, 10.53g of anabolic steroid Oxandrolone, 1.68g of anabolic steroid Mesterolone, 0.78g of dexamphetamine and 21.7g of testosterone in Mina’s bedroom.

James Mina.

“They also located in the accused’s bedroom numerous other plastic bags containing unknown substances, an extendible baton, $2300 in a Louis Vuitton box, 105 Oxandrolone tablets and a box containing a variety of steroids,” police facts stated.

In July 2021 – while he was still subject to the 12-month CCO – Mina was then charged with driving with cocaine in his system.

“(His) motor vehicle was observed leaving a block of units that is known by police for frequent drug activity,” police facts stated.

A subsequent roadside drug test returned a positive result for cocaine.

Mina pleaded guilty to the single charge and faced Sutherland Local Court by phone on Thursday.

His solicitor Zaki Hajjar told the court Mina had turned his attention to a hairdressing apprenticeship after losing his career as a nightclub promoter due to his prior charges.

James Mina.

“He has sought treatment and completed the MERIT (drug rehabilitation) program, and has been seeking psychological intervention,” Mr Hajjar told the court.

“It was on pause because of the Covid pandemic and he relapsed as a result, and has found himself before the court again.”

Magistrate Brett Thomas convicted Mina, disqualified him for three months and fined him $400.

Mina’s licence is already suspended after racking up 20 demerits and $1293 in fines since February 2019 for a range of offences including using a mobile phone while driving, exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h in a school zone and doing an illegal U-turn.

“This is a fine-only offence but it’s still of concern, this has occurred when you were on a bond for serious drug matters,” Mr Thomas told Mina.

“Your traffic record doesn’t assist you and you’re currently serving a demerit point suspension anyway – in these circumstances I’m not minded to deal with it without conviction.”

Mr Thomas took no further action on the drug supply CCO, which expired last month.