A Maitland pharmacist allegedly negotiated the sale of steroids to a former Australian representative body builder while police were monitoring his phone earlier this year.
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Phillip Lawrence Slater, 36, appeared in Maitland Local Court on Thursday facing 10 charges, including five counts of supplying prohibited drugs including steroids and pseudoephedrine.
Despite acknowledging the serious nature of the charges, Magistrate John Chicken granted Mr Slater, who has a stake in five Hunter pharmacies, conditional bail until his next appearance on August 15.
According to a statement of facts, police allege Mr Slater has supplied illicit substances to associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The police facts noted that, after receiving approval to monitor his mobile phone in March, investigators intercepted a call during which Mr Slater and the body builder allegedly negotiated the sale of steroids and other medications related to the sport.
When officers stopped Mr Slater’s vehicle in East Maitland soon after the call, they found 18 boxes of steroids, 60 capsules of appetite suppressant Phentamine and 180 tablets of oestrogen antagonist drug Tamoxifen. But the accused told police he was transferring supplies between business premises.
In April, police monitored a call between Mr Slater and Joshua Brooks, which allegedly involved a negotiation for the sale of steroids. Mr Brooks was also granted conditional bail when he faced drug-related charges at Maitland court on Thursday.
Mr Slater is part owner of Amcal Max Rutherford, Telarah Pharmacy, McKeachies Pharmacy, Morpeth Pharmacy, Amcal Waratah and Old Bar Pharmacy.
Strike Force Blacklock police searched the Rutherford premises on June 9, before they conducted a raid on Mr Slater’s Lorn home.
When Mr Slater arrived at the Rutherford premises during the search, officers allegedly found 12 boxes of testosterone and 36 syringes of steroids in his car.
According to the facts, police found a range of drugs throughout his home during their search, including a plastic bag containing 504 cold and flu tablets behind a bench-press set in the garage.
Police allege three boxes of the tablets contained double the usual amount of pseudoephedrine, while two boxes contained four times the regular 30mg amount.
Magistrate Chicken said, if proven, the charges against Mr Slater amounted to "a substantial dissemination of drugs in the community".
Nick Bielby
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has been with the Newcastle Herald since 2017.
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has been with the Newcastle Herald since 2017.
