By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A convicted drug trafficker has been freed on bail after being found taking a noon-time nap in a car with blaring loud music and a clear liquid believed to be GHB at a Dandenong South service station.
Stanley Lostitch, 26, of Croydon South was released on a charge of trafficking on 1 August at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court after spending the previous fortnight in custody.
On 18 July police found Lostitch in the Mazda 323 driver’s seat with music and rear tail lights on, and windscreen wipers operating at a fast rate, the bail hearing was told.
Police alleged Lostitch’s torso and forehead were “sweating profusely” and he was initially unable to be woken verbally.
In the front passenger seat were 21 multi-coloured small bubble containers and various larger containers containing a “clear viscous liquid”.
Police alleged the liquid was believed to be about $2000 worth of GHB.
The court heard police assert that the unemployed man was actively trafficking to support a habit of about 20ml of GHB daily and a “couple of points” of ice every two days.
Defence barrister Michael Gleeson described Lostitch as a “troubled young man” with unresolved mental health issues and who had been jailed after a fatal car crash.
Mr Gleeson indicated the accused would fight the trafficking charge, saying there was no evidence of selling drugs.
He said Lostitch, if bailed, had full-time concreting work and stable accommodation with a close relative.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Tess Holmes said it was in the community’s interest not to release a convicted trafficker who was at risk of further trafficking.
Lostitch had a two-month suspended sentence for driving offences hanging over his head and was also charged with breaching his community corrections order.
According to a police bail summary, Lostitch had extensive history as a drug offender, including a 2013 conviction for trafficking 14 grams of ice and possessing GHB, ice and ecstasy.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted that Lostitch “fell off the radar” of his corrections order and had not engaged with judicial monitoring, treatment and rehabilitation.
However the “relatively young” accused with a “very serious” criminal history had no drug-related offending since 2013.
Ms O’Donnell placed Lostitch on CREDIT bail on condition that he doesn’t drive, stays at a specific static address, reports three times a week to police and subjects himself to a night curfew.
Lostitch is due to appear at a mention hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 August.
