Man denies ownership of drug lab
A MAN found in possession of chemicals and equipment used to produce methyl-amphetamine has walked free from court after a six-week stint behind bars.
Paul Timothy Azzopardi appeared in the Warwick Magistrates Court this week and pleaded guilty to a total of three criminal charges.
The court heard the 23-year-old rented a room at a Warwick motel on December 16 and after he left, a staff member uncovered such items as hypodermic needles, empty pseudoephedrine packets and iodine stains on the carpet.
Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa told the court the items were consistent with amphetamine production and the Brisbane-based drug squad was called in.
Azzopardi was tracked to another Warwick motel where he was staying and police located more items.
The court heard these included iodine, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, Bunsen burners and tubing.
Defence counsel for the Dalby man said his client denied producing drugs and was holding the items for another person.
Snr Const de Lissa told the court Azzopardi had no criminal history in Queensland, only New South Wales.
The father of two has been in police custody since December 19, serving 29 days in pre-sentence custody.
Azzopardi - who was supported in the courtroom by his de-facto partner - was sentenced to three months jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.
