Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
A Sydney Greens councillor and actor in television's Underbelly and Home and Away faces losing his position on Leichhardt Council after being found with 12 bags of cannabis and six plants in a raid on his home.
Alan Cinis, 50, was arrested after police executed a search warrant on his house in the inner west just after 7.30am yesterday after a tip-off and found more than 300 grams of cannabis.
Police said seven plastic resealable bags containing ''green vegetable matter'' and one plastic bag containing seeds were found in his lounge room, and another five plastic resealable bags containing ''green vegetable matter'' were found in a safe in his bedroom. Six plants were also found in the backyard.
Cr Cinis recently appeared in Underbelly: The Golden Mile and has acted in other TV dramas including Home and Away and Blue Heelers.
Cr Cinis was taken to Newtown police station where he was charged with four offences: deem supply, cultivate a prohibited plant, possess a prohibited drug, and possess a prohibited plant.
The mayor of Leichhardt, Jamie Parker, also a member of the Greens, declined to say whether he would ask Cr Cinis to stand down, saying that he had not yet heard his side of the story.
The Greens MP David Shoebridge said it was inappropriate for the party to comment before the charges were resolved.
He said Cr Cinis was entitled to the usual protections of any person in the justice system.
''I understand the matter remains the subject of a police investigation and may come before the courts.''
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The Local Government Act says a councillor can be disqualified if convicted of an offence resulting in a year or more in prison.
Cr Cinis was elected to Leichhardt Council on the Greens ticket in 2008 after campaigning on local traffic issues and citing a desire to help underprivileged local children.
The Greens advocate decriminalising personal drug use, which the party considers is ''best dealt with primarily as a health and social issue, given the evidence that prohibition is ineffective''.
Cr Cinis was released on bail and will appear in Balmain Local Court on December 15.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: theridgenews.com.au
Author: JOSEPHINE TOVEY
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax Media
Contact: Lightning Ridge News, sport and weather | The Ridge News
Website: Police arrest Underbelly actor in cannabis raid - National News - National - General - The Ridge News
Alan Cinis, 50, was arrested after police executed a search warrant on his house in the inner west just after 7.30am yesterday after a tip-off and found more than 300 grams of cannabis.
Police said seven plastic resealable bags containing ''green vegetable matter'' and one plastic bag containing seeds were found in his lounge room, and another five plastic resealable bags containing ''green vegetable matter'' were found in a safe in his bedroom. Six plants were also found in the backyard.
Cr Cinis recently appeared in Underbelly: The Golden Mile and has acted in other TV dramas including Home and Away and Blue Heelers.
Cr Cinis was taken to Newtown police station where he was charged with four offences: deem supply, cultivate a prohibited plant, possess a prohibited drug, and possess a prohibited plant.
The mayor of Leichhardt, Jamie Parker, also a member of the Greens, declined to say whether he would ask Cr Cinis to stand down, saying that he had not yet heard his side of the story.
The Greens MP David Shoebridge said it was inappropriate for the party to comment before the charges were resolved.
He said Cr Cinis was entitled to the usual protections of any person in the justice system.
''I understand the matter remains the subject of a police investigation and may come before the courts.''
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The Local Government Act says a councillor can be disqualified if convicted of an offence resulting in a year or more in prison.
Cr Cinis was elected to Leichhardt Council on the Greens ticket in 2008 after campaigning on local traffic issues and citing a desire to help underprivileged local children.
The Greens advocate decriminalising personal drug use, which the party considers is ''best dealt with primarily as a health and social issue, given the evidence that prohibition is ineffective''.
Cr Cinis was released on bail and will appear in Balmain Local Court on December 15.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: theridgenews.com.au
Author: JOSEPHINE TOVEY
Copyright: 2010 Fairfax Media
Contact: Lightning Ridge News, sport and weather | The Ridge News
Website: Police arrest Underbelly actor in cannabis raid - National News - National - General - The Ridge News
