A recent run of drug-driving matters before Albury Local Court has continued following a man being detected during a random test.
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The case against East Albury man Nicholas Edward Sutherland recently went before magistrate Tony Murray.
Sutherland, 29, was convicted of the offence and will be sentenced at a later date.
He was charged by police with a first offence count of drive motor vehicle with an illicit drug present in his blood.
The excuse he gave to the police when being charged was: “I had a couple of bongs at lunchtime to calm my nerves”.
It was one of a host of drug-driving matters that have gone before Mr Murray in recent months.
On several occasions, Mr Murray has warned the wider community of the need for people to be aware of how long drugs can remain in their system.
For cannabis users, traces of the active ingredient tetrahydo-cannabinol, commonly known as THC, could be found in someone’s blood for up to six weeks after use.
I had a couple of bongs at lunchtime to calm my nerves
- The drug-driving excuse Nicholas Edward Sutherland gave to Albury police
This latest case has come just as Albury police reveal they will soon introduce permanent driver testing for drugs.
The tests can detect amphetamines, cannabis and MDMA, which is the main ingredient in ecstasy.
The full-time roadside testing will begin next month and mean Albury police will no longer need to rely on a drug bus from Wagga to test users.
Highway Patrol Sergeant Darryl Thomas previously told The Border Mail this meant police would be able to do testing “anywhere, any time”.
In Sutherland’s case, Mr Murray was told in facts handed to him that police detected his offending on March 19 about 6.45pm.
Sutherland’s car was stopped by police in Mate Street, Albury, for random testing.
He provided a negative result to the breath test for alcohol so was then given an oral fluid test for drugs.
But this was negative to both THC and methamphetamine.
Part of the sample though was sent off to be tested at the NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service at Lidcombe in Sydney.
This revealed the presence of THC.