First-time trafficker had 'well-above' personal amount of 'bling' when arrested, court hears

A former plasterer who told police he had “bling” on him while being arrested has escaped full-time imprisonment.

Matthew John Cole, 44, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (2 December) for sentencing over a charge of trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis.

The court heard police were called to an Ainslie residence in response to calls of a disturbance in June 2024.

At the residence, officers saw Matthew John Cole and arrested him when they realised there were two outstanding warrants for him in NSW.

While searching Cole, officers found a bag in his possession. When police asked him what was in the bag, he told them, “It is bling” (a slang term for methamphetamine).

This was later determined to be 17.3 grams of methamphetamine.

During a sentencing hearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (2 December), the prosecutor said that the amount was “well above the personal use limit”.

Cole’s lawyer said that while Cole’s criminal history included drug possession, this was the first time he had been charged with trafficking, however.

He said his client had returned no positive drug tests while in custody and had completed a voluntary program for substance misuse.

“He [Cole] recognises that he can’t continue on this path and continue making these choices,” he said.

Cole has been held on remand for more than 160 days since his arrest on 17 June 2024, he said, with a bail application failing.

If released on an intensive corrections order (an ICO), Cole would live with his partner and had “expressed confidence” that he could be employed by his brother’s business.

For trafficking methamphetamine, Magistrate Alexandra Burt sentenced Cole to a six-month ICO, which included a 15 per cent discount for his guilty plea.

“By trafficking that substance, you’ve essentially facilitated people having that addition,” she said.

As part of the ICO, Cole will have to submit to drug testing. She also directed that he not use alcohol and non-prescription drugs.

“[I hope this will] promote some accountability for you and make it easier for you to say no to those substances,” she said.

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. Free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling, and more information about addiction and support, is available through Turning Point.

Local information and support can be found through CAHMA.