Harry Merritt sentenced for serious drug supply charges including coke, MDMA, cannabis, meth

A young man had just got out on bail for serious drug charges when, three months later, he landed back behind bars for the same thing. He has fronted court to learn his fate.

Merritt was sentenced at Newcastle District Court on Friday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

A young man was already on bail for serious drug supply charges when police stopped his “suspicious” vehicle late at night and discovered an expensive stash of drugs as well as a machete on the front seat.

The court heard Harry Merritt, 23, was arrested in September 2022 for his role as a “street level dealer”, supplying numerous drugs, including cannabis, MDMA and mushrooms (Psilocybin), to numerous people across the Hunter for their personal use.

Merritt was back behind bars three months after being released on bail, following a vehicle stop at Hamilton South where officer seized more drugs, worth over $20,000, including methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine.

Scales, mobile phones and a machete were also found in the haul.

Merritt was caught with more than $20K drugs while on bail for serious drug supply charges. iStock.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday Judge Peter Whitford SC said there was a “degree of planning and sophistication” about Merritt’s drug dealings, and detailed that he had used encrypted apps, namely Signal, to avoid detection and arrange transactions for a “smorgasbord” of drugs.

He said the 23-year-old had “grandiose” plans but was no doubt immature at the time and was nearly dealing to support his own drug use.

In August last year Merritt pleaded guilty to five offences which included the supply of 1.8kg of cannabis leaf, supplying a commercial quantity of 84.9g of mushrooms (psilocybin), supplying 3.34g of cocaine, supplying 15.7g of methylamphetamine and supplying drugs on an ongoing basis between September 17-25, 2022.

On sentencing a further eight offences were taken into account including supply of cannabis and MDMA, dealing with the proceeds of crime, drug possession, possessing a restricted substance, custody of a knife and having a knife in a public place.

Mr Whitford felt an intensive correction order (ICO), a jail sentence served within the community, could be imposed for a three-year period with the condition he abstain from drugs.

A jail sentence of one year and two months was also imposed for the cannabis supply but with time already served, he was eligible for immediate release.