Jeremy Rich: Former South Gippsland Shire councillor pleads guilty to cannabis bust

A disgraced former South Gippsland Shire councillor was busted with cannabis after police raided his regional Victorian property.

Former South Gippsland Shire councillor Jeremy Rich. Picture: Facebook

A disgraced former South Gippsland Shire councillor was busted with cannabis following a police raid on his regional Victorian property.

Jeremy Rich, 47, pleaded guilty at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on August 20 to one charge of possessing cannabis and one charge of possessing a small quantity of THC.

All other charges were dropped.

The court heard Rich’s Walkerville property was searched by police about 8.10am on April 15, 2019 when they could smell a strong scent of cannabis.

Rich was found in the main bedroom lying in bed and his co-accused was found in another bedroom.

In a third room, police found 16 white rubbish bags containing dried cannabis head.

The door to the room was open and the 7.12kg of cannabis was found on top of the bed.

Digital scales, spoons, zip lock bags and a syringe containing 0.3g of THC were found in a safe in Rich’s room.

Rich’s lawyer Paul Galbally said the man was a councillor at South Gippsland Shire at the time of his arrest.

Mr Galbally said Rich would attend the Walkerville property three days a week but he also had a property in Armadale.

The man now lives in Mount Eliza with his parents.

Mr Galbally said the matter had hung over Rich’s head for more than two years.

“He has had to live with the uncertainty and suspense of what would happen to him,” Mr Galbally.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said Rich made a “terrible decision”.

“The courts rightfully are required to send a message to the community that drugs will not be tolerated,” Magistrate Bailin said.

“I make it clear you are not before the court in relation to selling drugs, buying drugs or anything of that nature.”

Magistrate Bailin said the charges placed a hold on Rich’s life for a period of time.

Rich was given an adjourned undertaking for a period of 18 months with no conviction.

He was also ordered to donate $750 each to Odyssey House and YSAS.

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