Joshua Lonsdale pleads guilty to drug supply after meth, MDMA, cash found at New Lambton
A Newcastle man tried to evade officers when they approached him in his Audi, before they uncovered a stash of drugs, cash and one incriminating photo. Read the details.
Newcastle
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A search by police after they nabbed a Newcastle man in a dramatic arrest for dealing ‘ice’ came across an incriminating photo with him, a gun, bundles of cash and drugs.
Detectives watched Joshua Adam Lonsdale, 39, walk from Wests New Lambton to the carpark on the morning of December 12 last year before they pounced on the suspected drug dealer.
Earlier this month, Lonsdale pleaded guilty to two counts of commercial drug supply, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and possession of an unauthorised pistol.
Police facts tendered to court said Lonsdale and another person placed a bag in a silver Audi at about 9am before he started the ignition.
But when police approached Lonsdale, he tried to ignore them before a struggle ensued.
An officer was able to rip the keys from the ignition and grab Lonsdale before he handcuffed him to the steering wheel and he was arrested.
Once apprehended, police were able to search the vehicle and uncovered a stash of drugs and cash, as well as a picture of Lonsdale holding a pistol with bundles of cash and a bag of white crystals.
Police facts detailed a backpack found had more than $52,000 in bundles secured by plastic bands, while 74 grams of meth was found in discrete packaging, 0.47 grams of MDMA and a bottle of Gamma Butyrolactone.
During the haul police also discovered numerous bank cards and a variety of gift cards including from Rebel Sports and JB Hi-Fi.
A green recycling bag from the boot also had a large hunting style knife, a toiletries case containing meth, scales, rego plates and a drone, according to police facts.
When police initially questioned Lonsdale about the find, he denied it.
“Mate, I don’t own it. I ain’t touched the s**t, it’s not my car. I don’t know your guess is as good as mine. Mate I haven’t touched anything other than my drone bag,” he said according to police facts.
Police also seized two phones which uncovered an elaborate network of messages from Lonsdale to clients discussing weights and prices of meth on numerous occasions between September and December last year, totalling almost 100 grams.
Charges of drive whilst disqualified, goods suspected stolen, resist arrest and custody of a knife in a public place will be taken into account on sentencing, while drug possession charges and one count of supplying drugs on an ongoing basis are to be withdrawn.
Lonsdale will appear in Newcastle’s District Court in December where a sentence date will be set.
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