Skip to content
  • +61 3 8644 7320
  • Email
  • Phone 7am to 12 Midnight - 7 days
  • Make a Booking
  • 中文
  • Locations
  • Contact
Search
Close this search box.
  • +61 3 8644 7320
  • Phone 7am to 12am - 7 days
  • 中文
Search
Close this search box.
  • 中文
Search
Close this search box.
  • +61 3 8644 7320
  • Phone 7am to Midnight - 7 days
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers
  • Legal Services
  • Our Lawyers
  • Criminal Defences
  • The System
  • Sentences
  • Blog
  • Locations
    • Ballarat
    • Broadmeadows
    • Dandenong
    • Frankston
    • Geelong
    • Melbourne CBD
    • Moorabbin
    • Ringwood
    • Werribee
  • Contact
Menu
  • Legal Services
  • Our Lawyers
  • Criminal Defences
  • The System
  • Sentences
  • Blog
  • Locations
    • Ballarat
    • Broadmeadows
    • Dandenong
    • Frankston
    • Geelong
    • Melbourne CBD
    • Moorabbin
    • Ringwood
    • Werribee
  • Contact

Ice Offence – Drug Charges – Ice Epidemic Victoria

Home / Offences / Drug Offences / Ice Offence – Drug Charges – Ice Epidemic Victoria

Contents of this page

Ice Epidemic in Victoria

Ice, a particularly strong form of methamphetamine (also known as crystal meth), has become one of Victoria’s most widespread and problematic recreational drugs. Statistics have shown that 7.0% of Australians aged 14 years or older have used methamphetamines, with crystal meth being the main form used.

Ice use has a plethora of immediate negative effects, including teeth grinding and excessive sweating; increased heart rate; psychosis; and aggressive behaviour. Long-term effects include extreme weight loss; anxiety, paranoia and violence; depression; kidney failure; increased risk of stroke; and dependence on Ice.

In 2014, the Parliament of Victoria Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee undertook an Inquiry into the Supply and Use of Methamphetamines, Particularly Ice, in Victoria. As a result, the Victorian Government has implemented its Ice Action Plan to reduce the availability of Ice to young people by establishing the Ice Action Taskforce, a policing unit specifically targeting Ice dealers and users. The Plan also provides increased support to families and communities; has expanded drug treatment programs; and has increased the number of drug and booze buses to stop Ice users driving while under the influence.

The Victorian Labor Party has invested over $45 million for the prevention, treatment and education of Ice use in the State. Increased reporting and policing has resulted in higher Ice-related arrests and charges. Ice use is seen across many age groups, but is particularly prevalent in young Victorians aged 20-29. If you or a family member has been charged with Ice use, possession or supply (also known as trafficking), you should seek legal advice from an expert criminal solicitor as soon as possible. As a parent or legal guardian of someone who has been charged with an Ice-related offence, you can also contact a criminal lawyer to seek legal advice in the matter.

The Law

The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) (DPCSA) deems certain substances illegal. Under Schedule 11 of the DPCSA, Methylamphetamine (the main form of Ice) is deemed an illicit drug. Schedule 11 of the DPSA also sets out specific traffickable quantities of drugs of dependence to which offences apply with varying degrees of seriousness.

Quantities of methylamphetamine (ice) deemed traffickable
DrugLarge Commercial QuantityCommercial QuantityTraffickable QuantitySmall Quantity
Methylamphetamine750.0g100.0g3.0g0.75g

Penalties

The table shows the minimum amount needed to be charged with certain offences in relation to Ice. If you or someone you know was caught with less than 3.0g of Ice, they may be charged with possession of a drug of dependence under s 73 of the DPCSA. However, as the table shows, being caught with just 3.0g of Ice deems a person to be trafficking in Ice. That is, s 73(2) states that if you or someone you know is caught with 3.0g of Ice or more, they are presumed to be trafficking Ice. This can lead to much more severe punishments, such as a maximum of 15 years imprisonment under s 71AC of the DPCSA.

If a person is charged with trafficking Ice in a large commercial quantity, or a large quantity, they may be liable to life imprisonment, or 25 years respectively. While the maximum sentence is rarely sought, large fines and criminal convictions often accompany these charges.

Other Charges

As outlined above, you, or a friend or family member, may have been charged with an Ice or methamphetamine offence for:

  • Use of Ice/methamphetamine (s 75)
  • Possession of Ice/methamphetamine (s 73)
  • Trafficking of Ice/methamphetamine (ss 71-71AC)
  • Drug driving (Prescribed Content)
  • Culpable driving 

In addition to these charges, depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may also be charged with assault; making threats; resisting arrest; introducing Ice into the body of another person; supplying Ice to a child; driving under the influence of Ice; or a range of other offences which may result in criminal punishment.

These are all very serious offences, and sadly often accompany Ice-related arrests. Because of the disastrous nature of Ice, erratic and psychotic behaviour as a result of Ice use often lead Ice users to lash out violently against police, paramedics, members of the public and loved ones.

Defences

There may be some defences available to you, or a friend or family member, if they have been charged with an Ice-related offence. It is critical however, that you seek expert legal advice if you have been charged or are expecting to be charged with an Ice-related offence.

Issues of control and possession arise where Ice has been found in commonly used or shared places. This can include share houses and even cars, where you are not the only owner or person with access to the space. However, anything found on you, or in an area which you have direct control over (such as your room or your own car), will be deemed to be in your possession (see s 5 DPCSA; R v Majo [1989] VR 273). The onus would then be on you and your criminal solicitor to demonstrate why the Ice was not in your possession (R v Momcilovic [2011] HCA 34).

You may also have a defence if you did not know you were in possession of Ice. However, this defence is difficult to prove where surrounding circumstances may make it hard to show that you were not aware the drug was Ice (see R v Nguyen [2005] VSCA 172; Pereira v DPP (1988) 82 ALR 217).

What you should do

Defences to Ice-related offences are difficult to show, particularly where there is evidence of possession or use. If you tested positive to Ice after a random check at a drug and booze bus, you should contact a specialist criminal solicitor to represent you in court. A guilty plea, character statements and reasons why you need your licence may help you minimise fines and avoid time spent off the road.

Dribbin & Brown have expert criminal defence lawyers in Ringwood, Dandenong, Frankston, Moorabbin, Ballarat, Geelong and the Melbourne CBD. If you or someone you know has been charged with an Ice-related criminal offence, or even if you are expecting to be charged, you should contact a criminal solicitor immediately. The more time you allow our office to prepare your matter, the greater the likelihood of a favourable outcome at court.

If you or a loved one is having difficulties as a result of Ice use, you should consult the Victorian Government’s Ice Information website. Ice is a dangerous drug with disastrous effects. Not only should you seek expert legal help, but you should seek professional medical and psychological help.

Drug Charges

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981

Ice Offence – Drug Charges – Ice Epidemic Victoria

s36B Unauthorised Possession etc. of Poison or Controlled Substance etc.

s56 Manufacture of Heroin etc.

s71 Trafficking in a Drug or Drugs of Dependence – Large Commercial Quantity

s71A Possession of Substance, Material, Documents or Equipment for Trafficking in a Drug of Dependence

s71AA Trafficking in a Drug or Drugs of Dependence – Commercial Quantity

s71AB Trafficking in a Drug of Dependence to a Child

s71AC Trafficking in a Drug of Dependence

s71B Supply of Drug of Dependence to a Child

s71C Possession of Tablet Press

s71D Possession of Precursor Chemicals

s72 Cultivation of Narcotic Plants – Large Commercial Quantity

s72A Cultivation of Narcotic Plants – Commercial Quantity

s72B Cultivation of Narcotic Plants

s73 Possession of a Drug of Dependence

s74 Introduction of a Drug of Dependence into the Body of Another Person

s75 Use of Drug of Dependence

s78 Obtaining Drugs of Dependence etc. by False Representation

Case Studies

CCO Result for Drug Trafficking Victoria

Conduct Endangering Life

Cultivate Cannabis Charges

Diversion Application

Drink & Drug Driving Charges

Drug Court Dandenong Charges

Drug Trafficking Charges Dandenong

Drug Trafficking Charges Geelong

Drug Trafficking for Profit Appeal

Drugs – Marketable Quantity of Heroin

Geelong Drug Trafficking Case Study

Trafficking Cannabis

Trafficking Drug of Dependence Ecstasy

Trafficking Methamphetamine

Our Legal Services

Appeals

Assault Offences

Asset Confiscation

Bail Application

Breach Offences

Centrelink Fraud

Children’s Court

Computer Offences

Council Charges

Drink Driving

Driving Offences

Drug Offences

Family Violence

Firearm Offences

Fraud Offences

Infringement Warrants

Intervention Orders

Murder Trials

Perjury Charges

Pervert the Course of Justice

Royal Commission

RSPCA Offences

Sex Offences

Theft

Traffic Offences

Violence

Weapons

White Collar Crime

  • Law Institute Accredited Specialist Criminal Lawyers
  • Legal Aid enquiries welcome
  • Over 100 years firm experience practising as traffic lawyers and criminal defence lawyers
specialist criminal solicitor warning
Do not ask any firm to act on your behalf in relation to a criminal or traffic law offence unless they specialise in criminal or traffic law.
  • Law Institute Accredited Specialist Criminal Lawyers
  • Legal Aid enquiries welcome
  • Over 100 years firm experience practising as traffic lawyers and criminal defence lawyers
specialist criminal solicitor warning
Do not ask any firm to act on your behalf in relation to a criminal or traffic law offence unless they specialise in criminal or traffic law.

What Our Clients Say

Helen and Lingbo Yang
Thank you for your support and help of Lingbo’s case for these days and everything is going smoothly. The outcome is better than we expected because of your rich...
Russell P
Dear David and Team I would like to “Thank You” for a job well done. The result, from the trial was truly amazing. I very much appreciated your courtesy, professionalism...
Sam B
Thank you for your outstanding service.... A great result for us...
Yvonne and Peter Braithwaite
Thanks for your excellent work for Yvonne last Friday. Your courtesy, empathy and professionalism was greatly appreciated. All the best for the future.
Maria
Many thanks for the wonderful support I received from David Dribbin as he represented me in court today. It was an extremely emotional experience for me and without judgement...
Grant B
I phoned Michael Brown of Dribbin and Brown after total disappointment in another criminal lawyer firm... In my situation that required communication, information and a great deal of understanding,...
Adrian W
A big thank you Dave. You made it seamless. You are a quality egg and hopefully I'll see you again under different circumstances. All the best!
Haley M
We cannot thank you enough, it still doesn't feel real to us yet as it has caused a lot of strain and stress over a very long period of...
Michael S
Dear Rebeca, Thank you again for your support and guidance over the past six months, it is my belief that Dribbin and Brown went far beyond there charter when...
Ross M
Dear Dave, Just a follow up thanks for your professional service & presentation yesterday – very happy with the outcome and the comments from the Magistrate. Thanks again, and...
…
Mike! Jacqui was great! Re my drive whist suspended charge, I held my license with a small fine to be payed in 4 months! Can't thank you enough! Thanks for...

Need help? Call our 7am to Midnight Phone Service on +61 03 8644 7320

Dribbin & Brown Criminal Solicitors Melbourne

Facebook-f Twitter

© 2023 Dribbin & Brown

Melbourne – 03 8644 7320
13/200 Queen St
Melbourne Vic 3000

Frankston – 03 8644 7322
8/395-399 Nepean Hwy
Frankston VIC, 3199

Ballarat – 03 8644 7310
Eureka House
11 Lydiard Street South
Ballarat VIC, 3350

Dandenong – 03 8644 7315
1a/147 Foster St
Dandenong, VIC, 3175

Moorabbin – 03 8644 7328
Level 1, 441 South Rd
Moorabbin, Vic, 3189

Geelong – 03 8644 7300
2/13 Fenwick Street
Geelong Vic 3220

Ringwood – 03 8644 7325
7/2 Nelson St
Ringwood VIC 3134

Werribee – 03 9116 9595
9/7 Bridge Street
Werribee VIC 3030

Broadmeadows – 03 9116 9500
StartNorth at Townhall
12 Dimboola Rd
Broadmeadows VIC 3047

Dribbin & Brown

  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • The System
  • Criminal Defences
  • Sentences
  • Criminal Lawyers Blog
  • Client Testimonials
  • Sitemap

Melbourne – 03 8644 7320
13/200 Queen St
Melbourne Vic 3000

Frankston – 03 8644 7322
8/395-399 Nepean Hwy
Frankston VIC, 3199

Ballarat – 03 8644 7310
Eureka House
11 Lydiard Street South
Ballarat VIC, 3350

Ringwood – 03 8644 7325
7/2 Nelson St
Ringwood VIC 3134

Dandenong – 03 8644 7315
1a/147 Foster St
Dandenong, VIC, 3175

Moorabbin – 03 8644 7328
Level 1, 441 South Rd
Moorabbin, Vic, 3189

Geelong – 03 8644 7300
2/13 Fenwick Street
Geelong Vic 3220

Broadmeadows – (03) 9116 9500
StartNorth at Townhall
12 Dimboola Rd
Broadmeadows VIC 3047

Werribee – 03 9116 9595
9/7 Bridge Street
Werribee VIC 3030

© 2023 Dribbin & Brown

Facebook-f Twitter

Dribbin & Brown

  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • The System
  • Criminal Defences
  • Sentences
  • Criminal Lawyers Blog
  • Client Testimonials

7am to Midnight Phone Service: +61 03 8644 7320  Contact Us | Book An Appointment

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Traffic Lawyers Melbourne

7am to 12am Phone Service: +61 03 8644 7320
Contact Us | Book An Appointment
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Traffic Lawyers Melbourne