Arise The Eminence Carlton drug dealer Rory Matthews jailed for trafficking MDMA, meth and LSD

A “caretaker” dealer pushed drugs including cocaine, LSD, meth, MDMA and a synthetic rave hallucinogen at a Carlton hotel.

An unemployed tweaker who peddled various and vast amounts of drugs at a Carlton hotel was rewarded with free rent and all the gear he could consume to guard the lair.

Rory Matthews, 26, was sentenced in the County Court on Wednesday to a minimum 27-month jail term after pleading guilty to trafficking commercial quantities of MDMA and meth.

Matthews, who also pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, ketamine, Nexus and LSD, was nabbed after police raided his Arise The Eminence Carlton apartment on January 5 last year.

Police seized 821 grams of MDMA, 185 grams of meth, more than 100 grams of cocaine, ketamine, 9905 milligrams of LSD, synthetic rave hallucinogen Nexus, cannabis and DMT at the Queensberry St apartment.

Investigators also seized a cash counter, cutting agents, blenders, utensils, various IDs and bank cards and $35,000 cash stashed in a Coles bag.

The court heard much of the drug stash was divvied up and hidden in “ready for sale” deal bags scattered throughout the apartment.

Matthews, who was not home during the search, gave a “no comment” interview” after handing himself in to police on January 12.

The court heard Matthews was a “low-level” drug sitter who received free accommodation and a smorgasbord of drugs for living at the drug cave.

Matthews, unemployed, retained the support of his parents who regarded him as the “prodigal son”.

The former landscaper and removalist was living with his parents in Brunswick East while on bail.

Matthews also had significant drug and mental health issues at the time of the offending, the court was told.

Judge Peter Lauritsen said Matthews was the drug sitter for the operation.

“Your role was to live in the apartment where drugs and money was handled, you were a caretaker …,” Judge Lauritsen said.

“In return you received accommodation and drugs for your own use, this why you committed the offences and the extent of your reward … the reward of free drugs.”

Matthews was jailed for a maximum four years and four months.

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