Mathew Rusconi appeared at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing several drug trafficking and possession charges.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Caitlin McLeod told the court the accused and his accomplices were parked in bushland off The Boulevard in Shepparton when they were approached by police on April 25 this year.
The vehicles were searched and methylamphetamines, ketamine and cannabis were found.
Rusconi was taken to Shepparton Police Station, where a search of his mobile phone showed three months of messages relating to cannabis trafficking.
Defence lawyer Adrian Ambrose said his client was easily influenced by others at the time due to his youth and inexperience.
Mr Ambrose described the accused, who was 18 at the time of the offending, as a “go between” in the drug supply chain, who struggled with mental health issues at the time due to family illness and work pressures.
“He was impulsive and influenced by older peers,” Mr Ambrose said.
Mr Ambrose said the young man had “detached himself from negative peers” and asked for the same outcome as Rusconi’s co-accused, a 12-month good behaviour bond without conviction.
Magistrate Peter Dunn said he did not believe this penalty would be sufficient.
“Drug traffickers don’t get good behaviour bonds, drug traffickers go to jail,” Mr Dunn said.
Mr Dunn ordered an 18-month community corrections order which included 100 hours of community service and participation in a drug rehabilitation program.