Large amount of 'bling' found in pocket during accused drug dealer's arrest, police allege

Matthew John Cole was refused bail by the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Police allege an accused drug dealer told them he had ‘bling’ in his pocket, which is often used as a slang term for meth, when he was arrested.

Matthew John Cole, a 43-year-old plasterer from Richardson, was charged with trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (18 June).

Officers had been called to a disturbance at Hoddle Gardens in Ainslie on Monday afternoon (17 June) when they spotted Cole getting out of a car at the back of the residence, police say in court documents.

He was placed under arrest as he had outstanding warrants for his arrest in NSW.

Police said when the officers searched him, they allegedly found a bag with “a large amount” of a substance believed to be methamphetamine in the left pocket of his jumper.

When the officers asked Cole what the substance was, he allegedly replied, “It is bling”.

Police found the substance they seized weighed 20 grams and a preliminary analysis of it allegedly returned a positive reading for methamphetamine.

Cole applied for bail on Tuesday, which was opposed by the prosecution based on the likelihood of him allegedly reoffending and failing to appear in court.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Gillian Bilton, argued that bail conditions could lessen the risks if he were released.

She said he had positive supports in the community and ties to the ACT. He worked five days a week as a plasterer and supported his children.

The prosecutor pointed out that he already had these positive supports before the alleged offending.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the prosecution appeared to have a “very strong case”, with a preliminary assessment stating the material that was found in his pocket was meth.

She said if convicted, he was likely to face a sentence of imprisonment and didn’t think any conditions could address the risks if he were granted bail.

Cole was refused bail and remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned to 15 July for a plea or mention.