Geraldton man faces court over 145g meth seizure near Dongara

A Wonthella man charged over the alleged seizure of 145g of methamphetamine near Dongara has had his bail set at $20,000. Police allegedly found the drugs in the glove box of a Toyota LandCruiser during a traffic stop on Brand Highway, about 3.30pm on February 26. The driver, Jesse Campbell Morris, was charged with possession of meth with intent to sell or supply; possession of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and a prohibited weapon; failure to adequately store ammunition; and cultivating a cannabis plant. Mr Morris, 30, faced Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for a bail application but was not required to enter pleas. Prosecuting Sgt Carey Owen opposed bail, saying he considered Mr Morris to be a flight risk. Magistrate Chris Miocevich said the prosecution’s case was strong and that if convicted, Mr Morris faced more than four years in prison. But he took into account Mr Morris’s lack of a criminal record and granted bail with “extremely strict” conditions, including a $20,000 personal undertaking and $20,000 surety payable by his parents. In an unusual move, Mr Miocevich ordered him to keep a log book detailing all his movements, which he must present to police upon request. “You need to understand that if you go out and you don’t complete your log book, I can only assume you’re getting up to trouble,” he said. “Basically the idea is that wherever you go, if you’re stopped by the police, they can see where you’ve been.” While on bail, Mr Morris must live in Waggrakine and abide by a 7pm-7am curfew. He is allowed to go to work, but must stay within a 20km radius of Geraldton Courthouse. He must also surrender his mobile phone and its access code to police upon request. Mr Morris is due to reappear in early April.