A convicted Sydney drug trafficker caught with 2kgs of cannabis in his car at Helensburgh at the weekend was only busted after concerned motorists contacted police about his state of driving, a court has heard.
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Police received multiple calls from the public about a Mitsubishi Outlander driving erratically along the M1 just before 10 o’clock on Saturday evening.
Investigating officers caught sight of the vehicle, being driven by Duc Quang Nguyen, about 15 minutes later and watched on while Nguyen swerved in and out of his lane multiple times over the space of several kilometres.
They activated their warning lights and sirens indicating for Nguyen to pull over near Helensburgh, prompting Nguyen to bring the car to a halt in the middle of one of the northbound lanes.
Officers had to help him move the vehicle onto the shoulder of the motorway, court documents said.
Officers claim he smelt strongly of cannabis, prompting them to search the car.
It is alleged they found four 500-gram bags of cannabis hidden inside a blue cooler bag in the boot.
Nguyen allegedly told police he’d hired the car from Strathfield and was on his way home to Darlington after seeing a friend in Wollongong that evening.
Officers also found $900 in cash in his wallet.
It was confiscated as suspected proceeds of crime.
Nguyen was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he allegedly told police while he was being charged “it’s only a few bags of marijuana … I’ve been to jail before”.
He was apparently referring to his recently completed 12-year prison sentence on drug importation charges.
It's only a few bags of marijuana...I've been to jail before
- Duc Quang Nguyen to police after his arrest
Registrar Nicole Hoffman said the case against Nguyen appeared a strong one and refused him bail in court on Sunday at the recommendation of police.
Officers said they feared he would commit further serious offences if released into the community.
The case will return to court at a later date.