POLICE allege an Epsom man who was found with cannabis during a police raid is selling drugs to children.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Joshua Benedito, 28, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court last week after he was charged with offences including possessing cannabis and possessing the proceeds of crime.
The court heard Central Victorian Response Team officers executed a search warrant at Mr Benedito's Epsom home just before 9am on July 8.
Officers allegedly found a bag concealed in the roof, which contained 45 grams of cannabis, a small ziplock bag of methamphetamine, and $875 in cash.
Police alleged a bowl of chopped cannabis, a bong, a flick knife, scales, and a small amount of dried cannabis was also found in a bedroom.
Mr Benedito's mobile phone and CCTV box were seized during the search.
The 28-year-old was arrested and taken to the Bendigo Police Station for questioning. Mr Benedito denied knowledge of the bag found in the roof.
He also told officers the cash allegedly found was part of his tax return.
Informant First Constable Jessica Carr told the court Mr Benedito was currently unemployed so it was unclear how he could have filed a tax return.
First Constable Carr said police believed the 28-year-old was trafficking drugs to children.
The informant said police were concerned Mr Benedito was also using drugs in front of his young children, as one child was in the bedroom during the raid.
Read more court: Teenage girl bailed for alleged attempted Bendigo robbery
First Constable Carr said Mr Benedito should not be released on bail because he was an unacceptable risk of endangering the community and committing further offences.
Defence lawyer Alex McLennan told the court Mr Benedito would not be facing time in prison for the drugs charges so he should be released on bail.
Mr McLennan said his client had a stable address to live at with his long-term partner.
The defence lawyer said a range of bail conditions could alleviate any of the prosecution's concerns.
Magistrate Russell Kelly agreed the risks could be mitigated.
Mr Kelly said there was a "minimal" chance Mr Benedito would be spending time in prison if he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Mr Benedito was released from custody. He is due to return to the Bendigo Magistrates' Court this week.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News