Drug accused pays $25,000 bail with his credit card

A MAN accused of dealing drugs to a remote Aboriginal community has paid a $25,000 bail surety with his credit card.

Richard Williams Anthony Hagar, 57, asked for a special order from the magistrate letting him use his credit card to pay the surety.

The Adelaide man was charged with possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis, supplying cannabis to a child and unlawfully supplying cannabis after police seized his four-wheel-drive and camper trailer near Bulman, north-east of Katherine.

The Darwin Magistrates Court was told the man drove to Bulman on January 17 and sold cannabis to two youths. Mr Hagar allegedly asked the youths if they wanted to sell cannabis for him and they agreed.

Prosecutor Sergeant Karen Sanderson said the man gave the youths a bag of cannabis, two pairs of scissors, a bowl and some clip-seal bags and asked them to divide the drugs up.

"They did so under his supervision," Sgt Sanderson said.

""They wandered around the community for half an hour and sold at least one bag."

The court heard Mr Hagar's vehicle was stopped at 9-20pm and searched by police, who allegedly found 500g of cannabis.

The vehicle and trailer were seized and Mr Hagar was taken into custody.

Sgt Sanderson opposed his bail application because police feared he would "interfere with witnesses".

"When he was arrested the two youths from the community were present and he yelled 'Don't tell them anything," the prosecutor said.

Defence lawyer Peter Maley said his client, who had no prior convictions, would plead guilty to owning some of the cannabis.

He said Mr Hagar would live at Lee Point caravan park until his committal hearing in March.

Magistrate Greg Cavanagh granted the man bail on condition he pay a $25,000 cash surety and agree not to go to Bulman or approach witnesses.

Mr Maley asked the magistrate to make a special order letting Mr Hagar pay the surety with his credit card.

Mr Cavanagh agreed.

If he fails to appear for his March hearing, he will forfeit a total of $50,000.


Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Tuesday, 24 January 2006
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au