Adam Mercia: Potts Hill electrician sentenced for supplying 17 grams of ‘medicinal cocaine’
A western Sydney electrician caught supplying cocaine told police it was for “medicinal” purposes. See what was said in court.
The Express
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The solicitor of a Potts Hill electrician said he was “under a lot of financial pressure” when he was found in possession of 17 grams of cocaine in Camperdown, a court has heard.
Adam Mercia, 31, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after being charged with the supply of a prohibited drug and dealing with property proceeds of crime on Saturday July 9.
Agreed police facts state that on the night of the offences, Mercia was observed by police in his vehicle parked on Cook Rd in Marrickville near the Vic on the Park Hotel, when a person entered his car and exited around one minute later.
“The male who exited the vehicle was stopped and searched.” agreed police facts said.
“The male was found in possession of two clear resealable bags containing cocaine.
“The male informed police he had purchased it from the accused for $600.”
Police then followed Mercia and approached his vehicle on Kingsford Rd, Camperdown, where a search of his vehicle revealed a single clear resealable bag containing white powder underneath the driver’s seat.
Mercia was arrested and cautioned before telling police, “It’s mine. It’s medicinal cocaine, it’s for personal use.”
Police continued to search the vehicle and located two black pencil cases and a black sunglasses case hidden in the front passenger airbag compartment.
“Inside the first black pencil case, police located $8160 cash,” agreed police facts state.
“The second black pencil case contained … 14 small clear resealable bags that contained white powder.”
“Inside the black sunglasses case, police located … 10 small resealable bags containing white powder.”
Mercia was found in possession of 17 grams of cocaine and was taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
In court, Magistrate Rebecca Hosking looked intrigued while reading the tendered police facts.
“Medicinal cocaine, that’s a new one,” she told the court.
Mercia’s solicitor told the court, in relation to his client’s remarks, that he had “panicked” in the presence of police.
Mercia pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced two 12-month community corrections orders plus 150 hours of community service work.
“Your way of giving back to the community is going to be completing the 150 hours of community service,” Magistrate Hosking told the court.
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