Items allegedly found with accused meth dealer suggests he was 'up to no good'

Police allegedly seized numerous items from 35-year-old Benjamin John Hedges’ car. Photo: ACT Policing.

An accused drug dealer was allegedly caught with six times the trafficable amount of meth, thousands of dollars in cash and several items that could be used in thefts after he had been pulled over while driving a car on a suspended licence.

Officers were on patrol in Higgins at around 10 pm on Monday (22 July) when they spotted a Ford Fiesta and signalled at it to stop, but its driver allegedly continued driving for a time, court documents say.

It is alleged the driver, 35-year-old Benjamin John Hedges, was the only person in the car and police checks confirmed he did not have an active driver’s licence. He was also on bail conditions that prohibited him from driving.

Hedges was arrested and police searched his car after allegedly spotting a bag of what looked like cannabis in a footwell.

During the search of the car and Hedges, police allegedly found 39 grams of methamphetamine, nine grams of cannabis, almost $6800 cash, digital scales, gloves, a torch, as well as identity and bank cards.

He was also allegedly found with a device that can be used to replicate the remote frequency signals of keyless cars. This can help someone gain entry to these vehicles without a key or remote.

Hedges was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, possessing articles to use in a theft and driving while suspended when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (23 July).

He applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Lesley Jayasuriya, said the risks of reoffending could be addressed with a curfew or house-arrest-type conditions.

He said his client had been moving into a home in Weston on Monday, which is where he could live, and he had family support and a strong network of friends in Canberra.

Prosecutor Jack Watson said Hedges “clearly has an unaddressed drug problem” and that the items he was allegedly found with were “indicative of him being up to no good”.

Magistrate James Lawton said there was a likelihood of him allegedly reoffending if released and he didn’t think the proposed bail conditions could address that risk.

Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to 15 August. No pleas were entered.