Drug trafficking charge against Bradley Robert Rashleigh dropped as he pleads not guilty to firearms offences

A drug trafficking charge against an Adelaide plumber has been dropped in court – as he pleads not guilty over guns allegedly found inside a hidden wall cavity.

Plumber Bradley Robert Rashleigh, 31 from Morphett Vale, leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Leah Smith

A plumber charged after three guns and drugs were allegedly found inside a kitchen wall is no longer charged with a drug crime – but the new year may change that.

On Tuesday, Bradley Robert Rashleigh, 31, appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with one count of trafficking in a controlled drug and multiple firearm charges.

However, his lawyer Craig Caldicott argued there was no case to answer for the drug trafficking charge, which was linked to 112g of meth allegedly found hidden inside his Morphett Vale kitchen, because prosecutors were yet to supply the court with forensic analysis of the drugs.

“In respect to the drugs, there is no fingerprints, no DNA and no certificate of analysis at this point in time,” Mr Caldicott said.

More than 110g of methamphetamine was allegedly located inside the Morphett Vale property. Picture: South Australia Police

Three containers were found, each with 28g. Picture: South Australia Police

Mr Caldicott said a notification had been made to Crime Stoppers indicating another person had allegedly put the items in the house.

Magistrate Justin Wickens said it was likely the charge would be re-laid in January when the forensic certificate was available.

Taryn Amos for the prosecution agreed.

However, Mr Wickens found there was no case to answer on the trafficking charge, and amended the firearms offences to remove reference to the methamphetamine as an aggravating feature. They remained aggravated due to the ammunition found nearby.

Mr Rashleigh was arrested after three handguns, ammunition and methamphetamine were allegedly located inside a wall cavity of his home’s kitchen.

In South Australia, firearms offences can be aggravated if they are concealed or found in conjunction with illicit substances, loaded or in the vicinity of ammunition, which increases the maximum penalty to a fine of up to $75,000 and up to 15 years jail.

Mr Rashleigh outside Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Leah Smith

Three handguns were allegedly located on the property. Picture: South Australia Police

They were found in the vicinity of ammunition capable of use in the guns. Picture: South Australia Police

Mr Wickens proceeded to take pleas for the remaining charges before the court, namely one count of possessing ammunition without a licence and three counts of possessing a firearm without a licence.

“Not guilty, Your Honour,” Mr Rashleigh responded from the dock.

The 31-year-old was remanded on home detention bail to be arraigned in the District Court for trial in the new year.

Originally published as Drug trafficking charge against Bradley Robert Rashleigh dropped as he pleads not guilty to firearms offences