Ryan Sneddon, 45, from Yarrawonga, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to possessing materials, substance and equipment for trafficking drugs, as well as possessing cannabis, possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence, possessing prohibited weapons and possessing methamphetamines.
He also pleaded guilty to contravening a community corrections order.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Sean Walsh said police found a broken up clandestine drug laboratory when they went to Sneddon’s home on March 24 to serve a firearm prohibition order on him.
The court was told precursor chemicals for drug making were also found, as well as glassware from a disassembled clandestine laboratory and a book titled Amphetamine syntheses — Overview and reference guide for professionals.
Police also found non-precursor chemicals used in making amphetamines, one spent shotgun shell, nine shotgun shells, an expired flare, pseudoephedrine, five white pills, and a small zip-lock bag containing white powder, cannabis and an extendable baton.
The court heard that when interviewed by police, Sneddon said he “had an interest in science and chemistry”.
He also told police his father, who died in 2011, used to manufacture amphetamines and he had “hung on to a few things”.
He also admitted smoking half a gram of methamphetamines daily.
Sneddon’s solicitor Emily Metcalfe said her client was in drug rehabilitation centre Odyssey House and planned to stay there for the foreseeable future.
She admitted Sneddon had a “significant and relevant criminal history” but said he had “started to turn a corner by attending a rehabilitation facility”.
Sneddon was sentenced to 216 days in prison, which he had already served while waiting for his matter to come to court.
The community corrections order he was on was also varied to be extended for a further 12 months.
Conditions were also placed on the order including that Sneddon receive treatment and rehabilitation for drug abuse and dependency, as well as mental health treatment.
