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A Perth man who was arrested by police while trying to flush methamphetamine down the toilet, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

The man, 53, was sentenced yesterday (4 February, 2025), by the Perth District Court for possessing an illicit drug with intent to sell or supply, and attempting to destroy evidence.

The AFP and Western Australia Police Force (WAPF) charged the man in February, 2022, as part of an investigation into alleged drug trafficking by the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) in WA.

Police had tracked the man to a business in Beaconsfield and when they went inside to arrest him, they found him trying to dispose of the illicit drugs.

Following the man’s arrest, officers found three large clip seal bags torn open on the bathroom floor.

Police seized the bags and identified one of the bags had 995.1 written on it, which they alleged referred to the weight of the contents in grams.

With the assistance of plumbers, police retrieved about 71 grams of methamphetamine from the bowl and piping of the toilet. A further 0.69 grams was located inside the man’s pants pocket.

The man pleaded guilty to one count of attempt to wilfully destroy evidence, contrary to section 132 of the Criminal Code (WA). In November, 2024, he was convicted after a trial for one count of possession of prohibited drugs with the intent to sell and supply, contrary to section 32A of the Misuse of Drugs Act (WA).

He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for the drug offence, and 12 months’ imprisonment for the attempt to destroy evidence.

The judge ordered the penalties be cumulative, resulting in a total term of five years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of three years.

The man was also declared a drug trafficker by the court.

AFP Inspector Chris Colley said criminals involved in the illicit drug trade had complete disregard for the harm they caused and cared only about the profits they sought.

“The AFP works tirelessly with WA Police and other law enforcement partners to make Western Australia as hostile an environment as possible for drug trafficking syndicates and outlaw motorcycle gangs, which are often involved in distributing illicit drugs,” Insp Colley said.

“We see daily the harm that methamphetamine and other drugs cause through associated crimes, the road toll and hospital admissions.

“The AFP and WA Police Force are working hard to protect the community and stop the supply of illicit drugs.”