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Drug raid on Somerville property catches Narre Warren man with ice crystals and weapon in his car

A DRUG raid on a girlfriend’s property led to a Narre Warren man being found with 35g of ice and a deadly garrotte.

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A DRUG raid on a girlfriend’s property led to a Narre Warren man being found with 35g of ice and a deadly garrotte.

Forty-three year-old Christopher Lacco pleaded guilty to drug possession and dangerous article charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The court heard police raided a Somerville house on November 28, 2016 belonging to a girlfriend of Lacco.

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In the bedroom where Lacco was staying they found syringes and two sets of car keys; one set belonging to his Ford Territory.

Inside the car officers saw a large bag of ice crystals, weighing 35g, and a homemade weapon consisting of handles and wire, which police believe was a deadly garrotte.

He told officers that he made the device because “he was bored” and he had “forgotten” the drugs were being stored there.

In court his defence lawyer said at the time Lacco had a big drug habit, and he had been asked to store the crystals for a friend.

He said the father of four had got involved with ice after catching up with old school friends, and at its peak, had a gram-a-day addiction.

He said the Dandenong South glass supplies supervisor hadn’t taken drugs since the raid, and had now managed to “extract himself from that lifestyle”.

Magistrate Julian Ayres said 35g was a very large amount of drugs for personal use.

“You were in a location that was on the police radar, (you were) associating with criminal elements at that time,” Mr Ayres said.

“The offending did occur 18 months ago, I’m told you are leading a productive life (now).

“There are positive reasons to maintain a lawful lifestyle.”

Lacco stood up in court and agreed with the magistrate.

“I lost a lot through drug use; I’ve learnt my lesson,” he said.

He was given a 15-month community corrections order and must do 125 hours of unpaid work.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/drug-raid-on-somerville-property-catches-narre-warren-man-with-ice-crystals-and-weapon-in-his-car/news-story/f90eab3902366a1a5791c41502454998