A BENDIGO man who breached his parole when he was caught with more than nine grams of ice and $11,600 in suspected proceeds of crime has had another month added to his jail sentence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Terry Cardona, 50, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to possessing a drug of dependence, careless driving and handling the suspected proceeds of crime.
Police spotted Cardona just after midnight on April 22 when he veered across all four lanes on High Street in Golden Square.
When they attempted to pull him over, Cardona “corrected” his driving, Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Chris Jones said.
Officers asked Cardona about his erratic driving, to which replied he “got distracted”.
Police searched his car and found 9.37 grams of ice – more than 90 points – in a glasses case, with scales and ziplock bags.
A wad of $11,610 in cash was found in the centre console, which police believed was the proceeds of crime.
They also found five debit cards, all bearing different names, and a further $480 in cash in his wallet which police also suspected was the proceeds of crime.
Police alleged the cash was from the sale of a stolen car, but could not find evidence of the sale. Cardona answered police questions with “no comment”.
Cardona was sent back to jail to complete the final 72 days of his previous sentence, having breached parole.
He then spent another 58 days in pre-sentence detention for the April 22 charges.
The court heard his family was eager for him to be released from custody so he could act as the carer for a sick family member.
Magistrate John Doherty encouraged Cardona to reveal who he sold the car to, but Cardona refused.
He appeared by video link from custody in Melbourne.
Cardona was convicted and ordered to forfeit the cash, fined $400 for the driving offences and sentenced to three months jail, with 58 days already served.
He is expected to be released from jail in October.