Albany man Michael Murray Hopkinson hit with meth dealing charge as police target drugs in short-stay

An alleged Albany methamphetamine dealer has been charged with a string of drug offences stemming from an ongoing operation targeting drug dealing in short-stay accommodation. Albany man Michael Murray Hopkinson, 33, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply after he was allegedly caught with 15.5g of the drug on Albany Highway on July 6. Police say Mr Hopkinson and a 33-year-old female passenger were in a car that had pulled out of a motel in Centennial Park before it was intercepted by detectives. They conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly found a “substantial amount” of meth along with more than $6000 in cash, a replica shotgun, electronic scales and empty clip seal bags. Mr Hopkinson was arrested at the scene under suspicion of possession of prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply. Police requested he undertake a drug test as the driver of the vehicle but it is alleged he refused. He was charged with possession of meth with intent to sell or supply, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property, failure to comply with a requirement to provide a sample of oral fluid and no authority to drive. The 33-year-old female was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and will face Albany Magistrate’s Court on July 29. Police say Mr Hopkinson is the same person charged with drug offences after a raid on a short-stay accommodation premises in Bayonet Head on June 22. He is also facing eight counts of offer to sell or supply meth to another. He appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court on July 7 where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next scheduled court appearance on July 29. “Police stopped the vehicle as it was leaving short-term accommodation,” Det-Sen. Sgt Darryl Noye said. “This is an Albany resident utilising short-term accommodation and police are alleging he is involved in an illicit drug trade.”