A MAN allegedly found with drugs, digital scales, a Taser and knuckle-dusters has been banned from Albury unless he is appearing in court.
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Police claimed during a bail hearing for Cabramatta man Thomas Gia Tran there was a strong inference he was in Albury to sell drugs.
Sen-Constable Trent Williams said that after being arrested, Tran had come up with a fanciful story about being in the city to look for a second-hand motorbike.
Tran, 25, appeared in Albury Local Court yesterday on charges of possessing a prohibited drug, goods in custody and possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.
He was released on $2000 bail, with a similar surety and must report to police at Cabramatta each Saturday.
Tran cannot come to Albury unless attending court.
His charges were adjourned until April 14.
Solicitor Allison Bruce said when applying for bail that Tran worked as an air-conditioning installer or labourer and was unlikely to receive a jail sentence for the charges.
Sen-Constable Williams said items seized from Tran’s car had been sent for forensic testing.
Police patrolling in McDonald Road, Lavington, about 1.40am yesterday saw Tran’s car parked outside a business where property had previously been stolen.
When questioned, Tran claimed he was catching up with friends.
There was another man in the front passenger seat and a woman was lying on the back seat, trying to hide.
Police said they had previously had dealings with the woman and had information relating to drugs.
Tran was asked to get out of his car.
He had sores on his face, arms and legs which were consistent with methamphetamine use.
Under the car’s steering wheel, police found a side panel which was loose and had a strap hanging from it.
They removed a set of scales, a small glass skull containing liquid and knuckle-dusters.
Tran admitted the skull belonged to him and he used it to smoke drugs.
Officers also found $430 cash in the driver’s door and Tran was unable to provide a reason for it being there.
Another $750 was found in his wallet and Tran could not explain how he got it, but said: “I need money for things”.
He was arrested and put in the police vehicle.
Police found three mobile phones and Tran claimed two of them, saying one needed an access code which he would not give to police.
A Taser was found in a side panel on the passenger side and Tran said it did not belong to him.
He denied any knowledge of 4.4 grams of methamphetamine found in the glove box, but admitted 0.07 grams, in a pipe on the back seat with a jumper, belonged to him.