Hunter ford, emerging Kawasaki motorbike star, jailed for supplying MDMA across Hunter region
Hunter Ford had the world at his feet as an emerging motorbike star, but got caught up as an “upper-line supplier” in a drug ring across the Hunter and New England regions. He’ll be behind bars until next year.
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In an investigation into a Port Stephens drug dealer, police uncovered hundreds of text messages on his phone organising to sell “pills” at numerous locations across the Hunter, which included in the car parks of fast food outlets, according to court document.
Hunter Ford had the world at his feet as an emerging Kawasaki motorcycle star, but got caught up as an “upper-line supplier” in an ecstasy supply ring that spanned across the Hunter and New England regions.
The 20-year-old from Anna Bay — who was supposed to be starting a lucrative two year stint in Europe in April — was instead arrested in December last year and has been behind bars since.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, while a charge of possess prohibited drug was withdrawn.
Last week Ford was sentenced to three years jail with a non-parole period of 18 months, and with time already served, will be eligible for release in August next year.
Ford came under the radar of police mid last year following his interactions with a Tamworth drug dealer, who was identified by Strike Force Heyward as they investigated the supply of MDMA within the Imperial Hotel at Tamworth.
Strike Force Celts was then established to investigate Ford, where police discovered he had supplied more than 500 MDMA pills and 213 grams of MDMA between September and December last year at numerous locations including Singleton, Bobs Farm, Glendale, Newcastle and Nelson Bay.
Port Stephens-Hunter detectives swooped on Ford’s Anna Bay home in December - where he was living with his parents - and also seized more than 11 grams of MDMA in red and grey capsules, electronic scales and plastic gloves in a TV drawer in his bedroom.
The court heard, police searched his phone and it revealed hundreds of messages with clients organising to sell drugs and meets up to exchange them, and even arguments with his father about whether he was still selling drugs.
Ex-girlfriend Samantha Davies was caught up in running drugs for Ford, blaming him for “manipulating” her according to court documents.
The 23-year-old from Maitland was in a relationship with Ford for a period of six months when she was caught by police with the party drug.
In September, Davies arranged to meet with a client at a Hungry Jacks in Singleton to deliver 300 MDMA tablets on behalf of Ford, but when she planned another drop at McDonald’s in Muswellbrook, it was thwarted when she was pulled over for speeding.
Police uncovered 213 grams of pink, orange and green MDMA tablets in resealable plastic bags in various locations including an Eclipse mint container, her wallet and centre console.
Davies pleaded guilty to two counts of supply commercial quantity of drugs and will be sentenced next month.