A MAN accused of being involved in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug has been committed for sentence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Matthew Merritt, 30, was one of five Dubbo men arrested after a police strike force investigation into the alleged distribution of the powerful illicit designer drug methcathinone, also known as Alpha PVP.
Commonly referred to as bath salts, the drug is usually snorted but can be smoked, injected or taken orally.
It is considered to be highly addictive and results in alterations of perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behaviour.
Merritt has been in custody since his arrest last year.
He made a brief appearance in Dubbo Local Court this week by video link from Junee Correctional Centre.
Guilty pleas were entered to three charges of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited firearm to an unauthorised person.
Four other firearm charges were referred to Dubbo District Court on certificate.
An additional drug charge was withdrawn by the Office of the Director of Public (DPP) Prosecutions.
Merritt was ordered to appear in district court on September 15 when a date will be set for sentence.
The DPP gave Magistrate Andrew Eckhold a summary of evidence and asked for Merritt to remain bail refused.
Co-accused Stephen Bell, 27, will return to local court on August 13 on four drug supply and firearm charges.
Dale James Agnew, 36, has already been committed to district court on a single charge of drug supply. He is due to appear before Judge Gordon Lerve for mention on September 15.
Christopher Asimus, 28, has also been committed to district court for drug supply. He has a sentence hearing listed on August 20.
Troy Asimus, 25, has been sentenced to three years and three months in jail (with a non-parole period of 20 months) for possessing three or more firearms.
A four-year and two-month term of imprisonment was imposed for supplying a prohibited firearm. A non-parole period of two years and two months was set.