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Drug Offences
There are a number of drug offences outlined in the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act (DMTA). Some of the most common offences are listed below.
Possession of prohibited drugs
Section 10 of the DMTA outlines that any person who has a prohibited drug in his or her possession is guilty of an offence.
In order to prove this charge, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that an individual:
- Had a prohibited drug in their possession; and
- They knew the prohibited drug was in their possession or believed the substance in their possession was likely to be a prohibited drug.
There are two different kinds of possession recognised by the law: physical possession and de facto possession.
As the term implies, physical possession is when the drug is physically in your custody. De facto possession is when the drug is not physically in your custody, but you have control of the drug.
Deemed supply provision
While most people are aware that it is an offence to possess a prohibited drug, many people may not realise that the offence with which you are charged depends on the quantity of the drug in your possession.
Under section 29 of the DMTA, a person who has in their possession a trafficable quantity of a prohibited drug shall be deemed to have the prohibited drug in their possession for the purpose of supply.
The weight which constitutes a trafficable quantity varies for each drug. For cocaine and methylamphetamine it’s 3 grams, for MDMA/ecstasy it’s 0.75 grams and for cannabis, it’s 300 grams.
According to the global drug survey, the average weight of an ecstasy pill is between 0.2 to 0.3 grams. This means that if you have just three pills on you, you may be charged with possessing these drugs for the purpose of supply.
Drug supply
A person who supplies, or knowingly takes part in, the supply of a prohibited drug is guilty of an offence pursuant to section 25 of the DMTA.
How can I defend myself?
Being convicted of a drug offence can have serious consequences for an individual. It may result in imprisonment, may affect your employment prospects or jeopardise your chances of securing a visa for travelling overseas.
