Timothy Mansfield was in police custody late Sunday when a series of Facebook messages set off his phone.
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There were no words, just a picture - sent repeatedly - of a black pool ball. Police will allege the picture represents a request for an ‘eight ball’ – a street term for an eighth of an ounce (3.5 grams) of methylamphetamine, worth about $700.
On Monday Mansfield, 26, of Woonona, appeared before Wollongong Local Court charged with supplying a prohibited drug.
He was a passenger in a car stopped by a police dog unit about 11pm the night before.
Police say Mansfield appeared to place an item under his seat as he came under their torchlight.
He reportedly shrugged when asked about his actions, and claimed he was en route to “my Mrs’” when the car was stopped.
A caged police car joined dog squad officers at the road as Mansfield and the car’s driver were asked to exit the car.
Both men were subjected to a strip search before police searched the car.
According to police documents tendered to the court, Mansfield’s seat piqued the interest of a drug detection dog called Sunny.
Officers found an irregularity in the seat and a split in the foam on its underside.
When police pressed the seat, a clear, screw-top container of the drug ‘ice’ - allegedly fell out.
The court heard Mansfield and the car’s driver denied any knowledge of the container, which was later found to contain 16 grams of the drug.
The court heard Mansfield was recognised by searching police, having been charged with drug-related offences on Saturday and Friday.
He had also served time in prison for previous drug-related offences.
“It would appear that the accused is still very active in drug distribution and shows no regard when it comes to the sentence laid out to him in regards to these offences,” the police documents allege.
Mansfield was refused bail in court on Monday.
The matter returns to court December 14.