Agent flushes out dope crop at Clifton Springs

By Michelle Herbison
POLICE found cannabis plants stashed in a Clifton Springs man’s car during a rental inspection of his home, a court has heard.
Geelong Magistrates Court heard Patrick Kreutzer put five small cannabis plants in his station wagon and parked further along the street while a real estate agent inspected his house on March 19.
But police arrested Kreutzer after seeing the plants in the wagon, the court heard.
Kreutzer pleaded guilty to cannabis cultivation despite claiming he was “minding” the plants for a friend away on business.
Kreutzer’s defence said his client “foolishly agreed” to help the friend.
The accused did not smoke cannabis and had no drug problems, his defence said.
Kreutzer was neat and tidy in a grey suit when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Ron Saines said the guilty plea left him “not altogether persuaded” Kreutzer was simply “minding” the plants.
He fined Kreutzer $600.