Michael Sullivan, 47, charged at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court with trafficking drugs out of Marong business WaterStore Poly Tank

A former Marong water tank businessman charged with trafficking drugs out of his failing business given bail to deal with a brain tumour.

Marong man Michael Sullivan is charged with possessing and trafficking drugs out of his family business WaterStore Poly Tanks. Picture: Contributed.

A former Marong water tank businessman charged with trafficking drugs out of his failing business has been given bail after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Michael Sullivan, 48, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with possessing and trafficking drugs including meth, MDMA and ketamine out of his family business WaterStore Poly Tanks.

Police allegedly found drug manufacturing materials during police raids at properties linked to Sullivan in Golden Square, California Gully and his Morang business in September, 2023 before he was arrested on September 29.

Michael Sullivan faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with drug trafficking.

Police allege when Mr Sullivan’s phone was seized, it revealed messages between he and his partner related to drug trafficking.

The family was in the process of selling off the water tank business – which was in Sullivan’s ex-wife’s name – and was facing VCAT action after customers were allegedly left thousands of dollars out of pocket after product was allegedly not delivered after the business folded.

A WaterStore Poly Tanks truck. Picture: Contributed.

The court heard Mr Sullivan had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, giving him a life expectancy of about three to 10 years.

Mr Sullivan was bailed to his parent’s address at Narrawong near Portland as he undergoes radiation treatment five days a week in Melbourne.

Mr Sullivan’s lawyer said the tumour may have affected his memory and cognition and asked Magistrate Johanna Metcalf to take into account his deteriorating health.

“He’s a man suffering from a quite severe disease of the brain,” Mr Sullivan’s lawyer said.

Ms Metcalf adjourned the matter to April for a contest mention.