Denmark man caught with dried cannabis plant says he found it in skip bin outside Red Cross store

A Denmark man says he found a dried cannabis plant in a skip bin outside the local Red Cross store. Ashley James Maciaszek appeared in the Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday charged with possessing cannabis, possessing drug paraphernalia and stealing. Prosecuting Sergeant Dave Loverock told the court that at about 3.20pm on Thursday, April 30, police attended an alleged stealing offence. Officers searched the property under section 133 of the Criminal Investigations Act, which allows police to search places and vehicles linked to suspects arrested for certain offences. In the kitchen, they found a plastic ziplock bag contained 13g of cannabis bud, Sgt Loverock said. In a rear bedroom, they found a dried cannabis plant weighing 946g wrapped in a sheet. “The accused explained that he had found the plant in a skip bin at the Red Cross shop in Denmark and had taken it home to smoke,” Sgt Loverock said. Maciaszek pleaded guilty to the drugs charges. Magistrate Raelene Johnston noted his significant record of cannabis offences before handing down a $600 fine and ordering him to pay $225 in court costs. His bail was renewed ahead of his next court appearance on August 6. He has pleaded not guilty to his stealing charge.