Matthew Griffiths busted with a large amount of meth tells court he plans to flee Mildura drug scene with family
A drug-addled Mildura man who was busted with a stash of ice claims he wants to get out of town with his family to escape the local drug scene.
Mildura
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A Mildura meth head who was busted with 14 grams of ice at a popular bar has told a court he wants to leave town with his young family to escape the local drug scene.
Matthew Griffiths, 40, pleaded guilty at the Mildura Magistrates’ Court to charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of amphetamine, and possessing a prohibited weapon.
The court heard Griffiths — who had outstanding warrants — had been spotted by police at the Gateway on Fifteenth Street. When police went to arrest Griffiths he attempted to pass a large Ziploc bag and cash to his co-accused.
As police tried to prevent the handover, the bag fell to the floor where police took possession of it.
Following analysis, it was confirmed to contain 14 grams of methamphetamine.
A search of Griffiths’ home the next day uncovered more meth along with a Taser device.
In court, Griffiths admitted that drugs had been a lifelong struggle and revealed that he had been discussing plans to leave Mildura with his girlfriend and their young family in hopes of escaping the local drug scene.
“I’ve been talking to my girlfriend about leaving Mildura. Maybe Perth. I don’t know anyone there,” Griffiths told Magistrate Patrick Southey.
“I’ve done the wrong thing — there’s nothing I can do about it now. Drugs have been a big issue all my life, Your Honour,” he said.
Police prosecutor Kristen Simm noted the wider damage methamphetamine use was causing, not only in Mildura but across the country.
“She’s not saying that for my benefit,” Mr Southey told Griffiths.
Griffiths also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, failing an oral fluid test, and driving an unregistered vehicle from a separate incident.
Griffiths received a two-month prison sentence, with a 14-day concurrent sentence for the driving matters.
With 10 days already served, Griffiths could be released in time for Christmas.
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