A 31-year-old man caught with drugs and weapons in his car during a targeted police stop in Wollongong on Wednesday afternoon has been identified in court as Daniel Peter McDonald.
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Officers were patrolling Crown Street just after 3.30pm when they saw McDonald’s vehicle parked in a no stopping zone with its hazard lights on and bonnet raised.
A search of the police intelligence database linked the car to possible previous drug activity, prompting police to conduct a u-turn.
The car immediately pulled away from the kerb and drove off as the police vehicle turned around.
Officers followed McDonald to the intersection of Flinders and Smith streets before pulling him over.
While speaking with him, police noticed a large hunting knife wedged between the car’s centre console.
Both McDonald and his passenger were immediately removed from the car and the vehicle searched.
Police allegedly uncovered a set of electronic scales, a plastic resealable bag containing six .22 calibre bullets, 6.15 grams of methylamphetamine, 3.15 grams of ecstasy and a set of knuckle dusters.
They also discovered multiple antique coins in the car including a set of gold commemorative Winston Churchill coins, which McDonald allegedly told them he’d been given by his recently deceased grandfather.
Police later spoke with McDonald’s parents, who allegedly told them their son had not been given any antique coins by his grandfather.
When presented with that information during a subsequent police interview, McDonald allegedly changed his story to say he’d bought them from a “junkie looking guy” in Nowra for $100.
McDonald told police he'd bought the coins from a 'junkie looking guy' in Nowra for $100
- Police documents presented in court
McDonald was charged with drug possession and supply, having stolen goods, possession of weapons and ammunition and having custody of a knife in public.
In court on Thursday, McDonald pleaded guilty to the drug and knife possession charges however not guilty to the weapons and drug supply charges.
He was granted bail to live with his parents in Victoria. As part of his bail conditions he must report to police daily.
The matter returns to court in March.