A DRIVER has lost his licence after he admitted to driving while under the influence of methamphetamine during a COVID-19 border check.
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Martin Dominguez, 37, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to charges including failing an oral fluid test and driving while suspended.
The court heard at 3.32am on July 17 last year, police were patrolling the COVID-19 border at Heathcote when they saw two vehicles pull over ahead of the checkpoint.
One of the vehicles, a silver Mercedes, was abandoned on the side of the road while the second vehicle progressed to the checkpoint.
Police checked the abandoned car and confirmed the registration plates belonged to two different vehicles. The Mercedes, which belonged to the accused, was not registered.
Police intercepted the second car in Heathcote and found Dominguez in the passenger seat.
The court heard he initially produced a boating licence to police, but later confirmed his driver's licence was suspended.
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A preliminary breath test showed no signs of alcohol but an oral fluid test revealed there was methamphetamine in Dominguez's system.
The 37-year-old told police he had taken drugs about four or five hours before driving. He said he got behind the wheel because he needed to get to work.
Dominguez, who represented himself in court on Monday, told the magistrate he had "no good reason" for his offending.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan cancelled Dominguez's licence and disqualified him from driving for six months.
The 37-year-old was also convicted and fined $1800.
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