Zac Tatchell appeared before court on drug trafficking charges after admitting to police he had purchased the drugs online

A Mildura drug dealer busted with a stash of coke and ice plus $14k in a washing machine has been told by a magistrate to “get out of town and don’t come back”.

Zac Tatchell was found guilty of trafficking methylamphetamine after police executed a search warrant and found a stash of illegal drugs

A Mildura man has been told to leave town and only return to visit his parents “from time to time” after he was busted with a stash of drugs and $14,000 in cash.

Zac Tatchell pleaded guilty to trafficking charges after police found a ZipLoc bag containing methylamphetamine and incriminating text messages on an Apple iPhone during a search at a Teal Dr property in November last year.

Along with the methylamphetamine, the court heard the search warrant also uncovered two containers of 1,4-Butanediol on the coffee table and cocaine on the lounge room floor.

Officers also found $14,000 hidden in a washing machine.

Tatchell admitted to police he bought the drugs online saying they “helped bring me to life,” following injuries he suffered after a car accident in 2021.

He claimed the money police discovered was from online gambling, and that he was saving it up to go to rehabilitation.

Magistrate Patrick Southey agreed rehab was a good idea, and also suggested that he leaves Mildura or face the prospect of relapsing.

Tatchell’s parents who appeared in court and his own lawyer, Rachel Storey also agreed this was a good idea.

Tatchell himself was in favour of that option.

“I want to get out of there, I agree with you 100 per cent, there’s no point in me going back to Mildura,” he said.

Mr Southey gave Tatchell a six-month sentence, with 156 days reckoned as time served.

“Get out of town and don’t come back, except to visit your parents from time to time. Please don’t come back here.”