A Smithton man who began selling methamphetamine to fund his own drug habit and became caught in a “cycle” of debt has been sentenced in the Supreme Court.
Dylan Jackson Gale, 35, pleaded guilty to trafficking a controlled substance, along with charges of possessing and using methamphetamine.
Justice Tamara Jago sentenced him on August 7 to 14 months in prison, wholly suspended.
The court heard Gale became addicted to methamphetamine after years of drug use that began with cannabis when he was 14.
Police searched his home on February 25 last year and found him asleep on a couch with 19 bags of methamphetamine in his pocket.
They found about eight grams in total, along with scales, cash and used pipes.
Justice Jago said the cost of feeding his habit became excessive, so he began selling and became “caught in a cycle, accumulating greater debt which you tried to alleviate by increasing sales”.
The court heard Gale bought larger quantities from higher-level suppliers, repackaged the drug and sold it to regular customers over about five months.
He travelled to different parts of Tasmania to collect methamphetamine, at times buying it on credit.
Justice Jago said Gale still owed his dealers large sums when he was arrested.
She said the sales generated only a small profit and were mainly used to support his own drug use.
Justice Jago said Gale’s addiction “was at the heart of this offending” and there was a “solid prospect” he would again become a contributing member of the community.
“As has been stated by courts on many occasions, conduct which involves the dissemination of drugs into the community is to be deplored,” she said.
“Methylamphetamine, in particular, is an insidious drug which causes great harm to individuals and the broader community.”
Gale must also complete a 12-month community correction order, including drug treatment.
