Man denied bail after drugs allegedly seized from vehicle in prison car park

A 40-year-old Spalding man, Wayne Douglas Carnell, will remain in custody after being denied bail on multiple drug and firearm charges. Police allege they found 100 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a Tupperware container under the glove box of his vehicle, which was parked in the Cadell Training Centre car park on Sunday.

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He needs to be able to establish that special circumstances exist to be eligible for release on bail.

During a subsequent search of Mr. Carnell's Spalding home, police reportedly discovered a loaded .22 caliber rifle, ammunition, GHB, MDMA, more methamphetamine, prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia. Magistrate Melanie Burton stated that the combination of alleged drug trafficking and firearm possession without a license made Mr. Carnell a prescribed applicant, requiring him to prove special circumstances for bail eligibility.

Magistrate Burton found that Mr. Carnell's situation did not meet the threshold for special circumstances, refusing bail. She noted the seriousness of the allegations, particularly concerning the firearm. The prosecution highlighted Mr. Carnell's 2015 conviction for deception offenses, for which he served five years of a nine-year, six-month sentence.

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I don't consider that I have power to further consider the application on the merit, so bail is refused.

Mr. Carnell's defense argued he worked full-time as a wind turbine technician and fitter, and would lose his home if remanded. They also contested the trafficking allegation, citing the small quantity of MDMA found. However, due to the nature of the charges, a trial is expected to be delayed. Mr. Carnell has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in November for a preliminary brief and charge determination.

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The allegations, particularly in relation to the firearm, are serious.