A Kiama Downs father was caught with a 24-kilogram stash of cannabis worth more than $250,000, a court heard yesterday.
Andrew Perrin is accused of storing the hefty haul in his Cliff Drive home, along with nearly $2000 worth of cocaine, a vial of banned steroid testosterone and almost $10,000 cash.
Police told Wollongong Local Court the 32-year-old had revealed he had been supplying cannabis for more than 12 months, telling officers the money seized from his home was profit from a dope deal conducted on Monday.
Officers from the Lake Illawarra Drug Unit raided Perrin's home about 1.30pm on Tuesday, confronting Perrin while he was seated in a car outside.
When police asked Perrin if he had anything to declare, he allegedly indicated he had some pot in the garage, telling officers he occasionally sold it to friends.
Police claim Perrin then took the officers into the garage and led them to a sports bag and three other carry bags, housing 42 large bags of cannabis.
The drugs were seized and police continued searching the premises, discovering several other bags of pot in the home.
The haul weighed in at 24.55 kilograms, just slightly less than what is classed as a commercial quantity, the court was told.
Perrin was arrested and police then searched his car, allegedly discovering $9500 cash, which Perrin claimed was the profit of an earlier drug deal.
Police also allegedly seized several mobile phones.
Perrin was charged with three counts of possessing drugs, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and one count each of dealing with the proceeds of crime and supplying cannabis.
Making a bid for bail on Perrin's behalf, defence solicitor Tyrone Phillips conceded it was a strong case, given the drugs were allegedly located at his client's home, but told the court Perrin could not recall making any admissions to police.
Mr Phillips said Perrin had strong community ties, stable employment and was willing to report to police.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail, citing the need to protect the community.