By Carl Pfeiffer

A cocaine dealer who made almost $28,000 in three weeks while on bail for drug trafficking charges has been jailed for nearly four years.

Francis Russell, 30, pled guilty to possessing a traffickable quantity of cocaine and supplying a commercial quantity of cocaine, in Northern Territory Supreme Court earlier this month.

Police found 3.58 grams of cocaine in five clip seal bags in a backpack in Russell’s home on September 17, 2019, arresting him before releasing him on bail.

Russell continued to deal drugs while on bail, selling cocaine in quarter-ounce portions for $3000 each during a three-week period.

Police had surveillance devices in Russell’s home and vehicle and raided his home again on October 3, 2019.

A number of items were seized during the raid including digital scales, clip seal bags, $27,900 in cash, multiple phones, steroids and a white Toyota Hilux.

Justice Judith Kelly said Russell, who was born in New Zealand, was due to travel back to his home country before he was arrested by police in September last year.

“You and your partner were due to depart for one-month holiday to Melbourne and New Zealand when your funds were seized by police,” she said.  

“You said you had no way to fund your holiday, so you sold drugs to enable it.”

The court heard Russell had showed no signs of remorse for his actions.

Justice Kelly sentenced him five years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and 11 months.

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