A Perth teen carrying 11 ecstasy pills and a quantity of cannabis as she attempted to enter the Groovin’ The Moo music festival in May has narrowly avoided conviction.
Ivy Nika Chavez Silabay, 18, fronted Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to possessing a quantity of cannabis and for possessing MDMA with the intent to sell or supply.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brian McCormack told the court on May 7, a police drug dog on patrol at Hay Park intercepted Silabay after it sensed drugs on her person.
Silabay revealed to police a pack containing 11 ecstasy pills hidden in her underwear and a quantity of cannabis concealed in her cigarette pack.
Defence lawyer Derek Hunter urged Magistrate Brian Mahon to not convict his client as she had no prior record, was seeking Australian citizenship and had ambitions to work with the military.
Mr Hunter said Silabay was an intelligent university student residing in Perth without her parents and had not used drugs since the incident as she believed the consequences to be “simply not worth it”.
Magistrate Mahon said despite her personal circumstances, he needed to impose a significant penalty that reflected a general and personal deterrence.
“People have died as a result of using this drug at festivals and I know it never seems like it at the time,” Magistrate Mahon said.
“Whilst I feel for you personally, can you see how close you have come to writing yourself off a career?
“This is a grossly stupid piece of behavior and I ideally hope you’re kicking yourself.
”Use that intelligence and make better decisions next time.”
Magistrate Mahon warned Silabay she had missed getting a conviction recorded by a narrow margin and fined her $2200 for both offences.
