Matthew Joseph Robert Utz sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court for possessing and supplying meth

A Townsville drug dealer claimed a cheating ex-girlfriend led to his latest bust when he was found with $2.5k in cash, two mobile phones and a box full of meth.

Matthew Joseph Robert Utz sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court for possessing and supplying meth

A man who was busted with a box full of meth in his car during a licence check has claimed the downward spiral began after his ex-girlfriend cheated on him while he was spending time behind bars.

Matthew Joseph Robert Utz appeared in Townsville Supreme Court this week after he had been involved in a dramatic arrest that saw police have to use a taser on him.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Butler said the man who was 36 at the time was pulled over by police on December 19, 2022 after authorities noticed the car he was driving to have an “extremely dark tint” on the windows.

Upon searching the car, police found a magnetic box hidden in the air filter of the vehicle which had in it 19.804g of methamphetamine found to be 71 percent pure and $2000 cash, according to Ms Butler.

The court was told the street value of the drugs were up to $15,000.

An additional $905 of illegitimate money was found in the man’s wallet as well as two mobile phones that had been returned to its factory settings.

“(Utz) fled from the scene and police were required to produce their taser, he physically struggled with the police officer which gave rise to the serious assault,” Ms Butler said.

Matthew Joseph Robert Utz sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court for possessing and supplying meth. Picture: Facebook

The court was told despite the mobiles being returned to factory settings, police were able to retrieve seven days’ worth of data which presented the man’s 10 “discrete” drug supply charges.

Defence barrister Ross Malcolmson, instructed by Legal Aid said Utz’ life had been shaped by substance abuse which commenced in his early teens.

“When things get tough he resorts to the use of methamphetamine to deal with the traumas of his life,” he said.

“He found out his partner was unfaithful while he was remanded in custody and that resulted in depression. Depression, anxiety and strain saw him resort to drug use and in turn the offences before your honour today.”

Mr Malcolmson added the man had undertaken every drug prevention program made available to him while he was in custody.

Justice David North acknowledged the man’s efforts to engage with programs, but highlighted he committed the offences while completing a five-year sentence for drug trafficking that was handed down on March 13 in 2020.

Utz pleaded guilty to 10 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count each of serious assault of an officer, possessing drugs, possessing property in relation to trafficking or supplying and possessing a thing in relation to drugs.

He was sentenced to four years’ jail, with the 479 days spent in pre-sentence custody declared as time served. He was granted an immediate parole eligibility date.

“It’ll be a matter for the parole board,” Justice North said.

Originally published as Matthew Joseph Robert Utz sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court for possessing and supplying meth