Geraldton man Ricky Hannover fined $6200 for possession of more than 50g of cannabis hidden in car

A man who tried to hide more than 50g of cannabis under his car boot lining has been slapped with a $6200 fine. Geraldton Magistrates Court was told 51-year-old Ricky Hannover’s car was searched by police as part of a traffic stop on Brand Highway near Mount Adams on February 15, 2021. Officers found two clip-seal bags containing a total 56g of cannabis “secreted” under the carpet lining of Hannover’s car boot. A quantity of methylamphetamine was also found wrapped in paper towel in the boot. He was the sole occupant of the car, but told officers he had no knowledge about the existence of the drugs or how they came to be in his car. The offences occurred while Hannover was on parole, having just been released from custody on charges related to the possession of more than 300g of methylamphetamine. Hannover pleaded guilty to the new possession charge and also has matters pending in the District Court, where it is understood Hannover will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for methylamphetamine possession charges. The court was told Hannover had moved to Geraldton in an attempt to change his life around and get away from bad influences in Perth. Magistrate Angus Hockton said the facts made for “disappointing reading” given he was active in the community for just one month since his release from custody before he reoffended. Mr Hockton said Hannover had “gone to some effort” to conceal the cannabis, which he described as a drug which had a detrimental affect on the mental health of users. He said Hannover’s guilty plea was one of the only mitigating factors relevant to sentencing, and fined the man $6200 for the possession charge. Hannover was also ordered to pay $150.30 in court costs.