Western suburbs drugs: Cairnlea dad Nguyen Trang pleads guilty to drug trafficking
A new dad caught with a stack of drugs and cash at his Cairnlea home claimed “other family members” were responsible after police found dope in cars owned by the dealer’s wife and sister.
North West
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A dope-dealing dad busted with a stack of drugs and cash at his Cairnlea home blamed “other family members” for the illegal haul, a court has heard.
Nguyen Trang, 31, pleaded guilty at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on February 24 to five charges including drug trafficking.
Brimbank Divisional Response Unit police raided the Cairnlea home Trang shared with his wife on October 24, 2019.
Police seized multiple “deal bags” which contained, in total, 44gm of ice, four mobile phones, heroin, cannabis and $20,000 cash.
The drugs were found scattered inside the house, and in two Lexus cars at the property.
The cars were in the name of Trang’s wife and his sister.
Trang’s counsel argued that there was “no evidence of sales taking place” despite the 44 grams of ice and $20,000 cash.
“It’s quite a lot for personal use,” Magistrate Urfa Masood said.
Trang, who was at court seeking a sentencing indication, claimed the drugs belonged to “other family members”.
Magistrate Masood described Trang’s claim as the “it’s not me” defence.
Trang confessed to all charges after Magistrate Masood said a community corrections order was on the cards.
Trang’s counsel said his client’s ”impeccable behaviour” while on bail made him suitable for an order.
The court also heard Trang recently became a father.
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Magistrate Masood accepted these submissions but warned Trang that “general deterrence” was a significant sentencing factor.
“Drug trafficking is a very big problem in society at the moment,” she said.
Magistrate Masood ordered Trang be assessed for a community corrections order but warned him it will be a “very long one” if he was found suitable.
The matter continues.