A Tamworth man found with close to $50,000 worth of cocaine in his car has been jailed, with a magistrate finding no other penalty was available for such a large quantity of drugs.
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Garry Logan Brennan was in the midst of a "very entrenched gambling addiction" when he was caught with 161g of cocaine in his car.
Tamworth Local Court heard he was not a drug user or supplier, but was couriering it for cash. He was charged with deemed supply of more than an indictable quantity of drugs - a charge that carries 15 years' imprisonment.
"The transportation was for funds ... not a drug addiction, but an addiction," Magistrate Julie Soars said.
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Brennan was given a 25 per cent discount for his early guilty plea but jailed for two years.
Flanked by his emotional wife, Brennan was led away by police to serve 12 months behind bars before he is eligible for parole in December, next year.
"This is a substantial amount of a significant drug," Ms Soars said.
"Many peoples' lives could have been affected if it was delivered to where it was going."
She said everyday the court list was littered with drug-related matters, or the consequences of those battling addictions.
"The experience I have everyday of peoples' lives torn apart, and damaged by a drug addiction," Ms Soars said.
Brennan's solicitor had pushed for an intensive corrections order (ICO) - or jail term in the community - arguing it "does clearly denounce the conduct involved in this offending".
"It's also better for the community if he rehabilitates," he told the court.
Brennan's solicitor said his record involved "serious dishonesty" offences.
"The record is indicative of a serious addiction," the solicitor told the court.
"Effectively funding the issues with which he struggles."
Ms Soars said it was clear given the quantity of the drug found that Brennan was involved at a mid-level type of dealing, rather than a street-level supply.
Police prosecutor Sergeant John Brissett pushed for a full-time sentence behind bars.
"He's just not someone at the lowest end," he said.
"There must be a deterrent.
"This is a large quantity of drugs, a large quantity of money."
The court heard Brennan was intercepted just after 1.30am on September 30 at Muswellbrook, in the midst of transporting the drugs.
He was pulled over for a random breath test but police noticed he "was shaking" and uncovered "161g of cocaine in a plastic bag within the car".
Ms Soars said there was no question that he was "remorseful" and a "family man" but his addiction had led to this offending along with "serious dishonesty offences" for which he has previously been convicted.
"We have too many of these matters coming before this court," she said, adding "the potential for serious harm in the community" meant full-time imprisonment was the only sentencing option.
"Drugs are a dreadful scourge on this community."
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
