Man accused of making and trafficking ‘bath salts’ MDMA to appear in Hobart’s Supreme Court

A Hobart man accused of making and trafficking 11,000 synthetic MDMA pills from the potentially dangerous drug known as “bath salts” or “flakka” has been refused bail. LATEST >

A HOBART man accused of manufacturing and trafficking 11,000 synthetic MDMA pills, made from the potentially dangerous new drug dimethylpentylone, has been denied bail.

Benjamin Angus Shield, 47, had been directed to enter pleas to a raft of drug-related charges in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday, after police said they made a “significant” seizure – with a street value of $400,000 – on December 22 last year.

However, Mr Shield’s lawyer said he wanted to “consult his mental health people” first, before entering a plea.

Benjamin Shield

Magistrate Reg Marron refused bail, and Mr Shield remains in custody.

Mr Marron said Mr Shield had been directed to enter a plea, and since he had not done so, entered pleas of not guilty on his behalf for all indictable matters.

Mr Marron committed the matter to the Supreme Court of Tasmania, where Mr Shield will appear in March.

Dimethylpentylone is a newer addition to a large class of drugs called synthetic cathinones, which are often known by the street names of “bath salts” or “flakka”.

Bath salts and flakka have made headlines in recent years for their potentially dangerous effects, and the sometimes disturbing behaviour by users.

An image of some of the thousands of pills allegedly seized by police in a “significant” pre-Christmas seizure last year. Picture: Tasmania Police

While dimethylpentylone can reportedly give a similar high to MDMA, it can also make users agitated and unable to sleep, and can even cause insomnia-induced psychosis.

Mr Shield’s case is possibly the first time someone in Tasmania has been charged with trafficking the newly-developed dimethylpentylone, which has reportedly been sold as MDMA interstate and overseas.

According to court documents, he has been charged with drug trafficking and manufacturing, possessing cannabis, possessing 101 glass ice pipes, breaching bail, destroying property, possessing an item intended for use in the manufacture of drugs, possessing a folding knife and a switch blade knife, and evading police in aggravated circumstances.

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