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Alleged bikie Bradley Michael Banks jailed for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm

An alleged Finks bikie was paying for petrol when a police search found meth and guns hidden in crafty places, including Coke and spray cans.

Breaking the ice: Meth use in SA

An alleged Finks bikie who hid meth in crafty places, including Coke and spray cans, then lied to police after arrest.

Bradley Michael Banks, 27, was jailed for seven years after drugs and associating with the wrong people became his downfall.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Banks was at Para Hills West On the Run paying for petrol on November 17, 2022 when police informed him they intended to search him.

They found $1100 in his pocket and $840 in his wallet.

Between the driver’s seat and the console was a pistol wrapped in some cloth.

Bradley Banks pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a firearm. Picture: Facebook
Bradley Banks pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a firearm. Picture: Facebook

“As soon as the police located the pistol you took off on foot,” Judge Paul Muscat said.

Police also uncovered various quantities of methamphetamine concealed in different containers, including a Coke can, spray can and a potato chip vessel.

The total amount of methamphetamine found inside the car was 20.65g.

Police also located $2000 and a mobile phone in a bumbag on the front passenger seat, a shoebox containing $170 and two registration plates in the boot of the car.

Although Banks ran from the police, he was soon apprehended.

When Banks was interviewed he claimed the car did not belong to him and he didn’t realise the gun was in there.

“All of that was untrue,” Judge Muscat said.

“You accept that you were trafficking in methamphetamine and that you possessed the pistol as part of that trafficking either as a form of protection or to intimidate persons in the course of your drug dealing activities.”

Banks pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a firearm.

He was sentenced in September to four years jail for trafficking methamphetamine in August and December 2021.

Judge Muscat said drugs and associating with the wrong people have been Banks’ downfall.

Adding on to his previous sentence, he sentenced Banks to seven years jail, with a non-parole period of four years.

The sentence was backdated to December 14, 2022.

Originally published as Alleged bikie Bradley Michael Banks jailed for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/south-australia/alleged-bikie-bradley-michael-banks-jailed-for-drug-trafficking-and-possessing-a-firearm/news-story/91ffda4c179442f9de8013719c44d15a