Zachary Norton: Druggie caught dealing weeks after jail release

A prolific Peninsula pusher who ran a substance shop has told a magistrate he’s clean and won’t go back to using or selling drugs.

Zachary Norton had only been out of jail a short time when he was caught drug dealing again.

A drug dealer was repeatedly caught with a cocktail of gear including ice, GHB, ecstasy, ketamine, cannabis and steroids just weeks after serving a stint in jail for trafficking.

Zachary Michael Norton was picked up at druggie hotspots with a smorgasbord of substances in his pockets and backpack.

And when cops raided his Rosebud house they found more drugs, scales, empty deal bags, bundles of cash and a trafficking ‘tick book’.

The 25-year-old was caught on one occasion at a known Capel Sound dealing site with a stash of meth, ‘special K’, GHB and dope that he said was “all for personal use, just for the weekend”.

Another time he was seen in a car known for evading police and found with all sorts of other dodgy drugs hidden in the spare wheel well.

Appearing from a rehab centre at the online Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday he pleaded guilty to more than a dozen drug charges.

The roof tiler had already served 110 days in custody before being bailed to the clinic, where he has spent the past four months.

Norton has a shocking drug-related history, and has also been involved in police chases while off his head on ice.

The court heard on August 28 last year — a month after he had been released from jail — a police patrol noticed a parked car in Capel Sound in an area known for high drug activity.

When they pulled up Norton got out the passenger side and the driver sped off.

He was anxious and nervous — with good reason — as he had two vials of GHB and nine ecstasy pills in his possession.

A week later he was seen in a suspicious car parked in Rosebud.

As he was a known drug offender and the car had been involved in cop chases, the vehicle was searched.

In the boot was .94g of ketamine, 40ml of GHB, 3.54g of cannabis and 3.97g of ice — which Norton said were all for his own use that weekend.

On September 30 last year drug squad detectives raided his Rosebud bedroom and found a stash of goodies.

They uncovered 1g of ecstasy, 6g of ice, 30 steroids, prescription pills, digital scales, empty deal bags, $1870 in cash and a drug debts book.

Norton told the court rehab had “made me realise I can have a life without drugs” and this was the longest he had been clean since he was 17.

His defence lawyer said he was now “on track” with his rehabilitation and was determined to stay clean.

Magistrate Fiona Stewart said Norton needed to know he “can’t put another foot wrong” and was in need of supervision.

“Your record is pretty bad for a young man; you have a serious prior criminal history and you’re offending again,” Ms Stewart said.

“I take into account your time already spent in custody and the fact you are doing well on rehabilitation.

“The ball is in your court, you can’t afford to let you family down again; the rest is up to you.”

Norton was released on time served of 110 days and given a 12-month drug treatment-based community corrections order.