Great Southern man accused of drug trafficking released on bail after being caught in roadside stop

An apprentice farming mechanic from the Great Southern who was allegedly found with more than 250g of methylamphetamine during a police search has been granted bail. James Thomas Cronin, 23, appeared in Narrogin Magistrates Court on October 28 via video link from Albany Prison charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, and possessing drug paraphernalia. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker said Mr Cronin was driving through Cuballing on October 21 when police pulled over his vehicle with a search warrant. Sgt Walker said during the search, police allegedly found 274.85g of methylamphetamine in the vehicle and a glass smoking utensil with detectable traces of the same drug underneath the drivers seat. The 23-year-old also allegedly had two mobile phones and a third device with evidence of drug sell and supply. Sgt Walker said bail was strongly opposed because Mr Cronin is a serious flight risk, with a high potential to reoffend and evade future court appearances. Defence lawyer Wendy Stewart told the court that her client could follow any bail conditions and reside in Esperance with his partner or at his parents’ Katanning farm. Ms Stewart said Mr Cronin would like to complete his final year as a farming mechanic apprentice and had started his own small business before going into custody, which has left clients’ work unfinished. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell recognised that the prosecution appeared to have a strong case and said a jail term for Mr Cronin was inevitable if found guilty. After only spending a week in custody, Ms O’Donnell granted the accused bail on strict conditions. Mr Cronin must surrender his passport to police and cannot be issued a new one, he cannot go within one kilometre of State lines or departure points, undergo regular urine analysis and must report to Esperance police every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He was released with a $10,000 personal undertaking and a $10,000 surety. He has not yet entered a plea. Mr Cronin will next appear in Narrogin Magistrates Court on January 6 for legal advice.