Mt Clear drug dealer could avoid jail

A MT CLEAR man who was part of a group that trafficked drugs in Ballarat and Melbourne's western suburbs could be sentenced to community work.The highest amount of drugs that Craig Geoffrey Rickard bought at any one time was seven grams of methamphetamine, between August 2007 and March 2008. The amount of people he sold them to is unknown.The 44-year-old pleaded guilty in the County Court at Melbourne yesterday to one count of trafficking a drug of dependence. Police records show Rickard bought the drugs from Clifford Formosa, who is accused of being the head of a Ballarat drug syndicate, took some for himself, then sold it, the court was told.Crown prosecutor Yildana Hardjadibrata said Rickard made no financial profit from selling the drugs."He admitted passing on drugs to people in exchange for cash. He bought it for $100 a gram, used some of it, then sold it to people for $100 a gram to get his money back," Mr Hardjadibrata said.On March 13, 2008, police executed a search warrant at Rickard's Mt Clear home where they located drug paraphernalia and other items, including digital scales, more than 60 bags and two mobile telephones.The court was told Rickard had made about 37 telephone calls, which he agreed were conversations between himself and Formosa. He also admitted to being a heavy amphetamine user.The crown submitted that a prison sentence would be appropriate but a suspended sentence was within the range. The charge carries a maximum of 15 years' jail.Defence barrister Kellie Blair said Rickard turned to drugs because he had been prone to depression for a long time and his marriage broke down. She said a community-based order was within the sentencing range and Rickard could give back to the community.Judge David Parsons ordered Rickard be assessed for a community-based order, saying it would be appropriate given the number of people he trafficked to was unknown.Rickard's bail was extended and he will reappear in court tomorrow.Two men, Matthew John Cicero, 33, and Danny James Missen, 29, also appeared in the County Court at Melbourne for their involvement in the drug ring. Their cases were adjourned until today for plea hearings. Cicero, of Ballarat, and Missen, of Snake Valley, have both pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking a drug of dependence. Formosa, 33, has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges and will go to trial next month.