Cameron Ellis, 31, appeared at Stawell Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, December 21, and pleaded guilty to a range of offences, including drugs and weapons charges.

The court was told at 1.15am on November 12, 2021, police located Ellis in a black Ford Ranger parked at Horsham Skatepark.

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Police arrested Ellis due to outstanding warrants in his name, and conducted a search of his vehicle.

Police found a large hunting knife located under a passenger seat of the car, and 2.9g of a crystal powder, suspected to be methamphetamine, in the centre console.

Following the incident, on December 15, 2021, police conducted a search at Ellis' Natimuk Road address.

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During the search, investigators found two grams of methamphetamine, 10g of cannabis, four imitation gel blaster firearms, a firecracker, three ecstasy tablets and $1600 dollars in cash.

Ellis was taken to Horsham police station, where he told police he had spent $200,000 in family inheritance to fuel his drug habit and had no money left - driving him to drug trafficking.

Defence counsel Nick Graham provided a statement on the informing officer's behalf commending Ellis for his cooperation with police during the search warrant and interview.

Mr Graham, who was joined by Ellis' family, told the court about the support Ellis had received from them following his arrest.

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Mr Graham also told the court, Ellis had primarily possessed the illicit substances for personal use, and only began to sell them to friends after they knew he had them in his possession.

Magistrate Tim Walsh issued a stern warning to Ellis about his behaviour.

"Mr Ellis, I have a couple of things to say to you. Number one, you are a qualified plumber so you have the world at your feet," Mr Walsh said.

"There are thousands of kids out there that would give their right arm to be in a trade right now, especially in the building industry.

"It is also not very often that I see as many members of one's family in court supporting them.

"If you come back before the court dealing with drugs again, the six days you spent in the Horsham police cells will seem like six minutes."

Ellis was convicted, fined $1200 and sentenced to six days imprisonment, already recognised. All drugs, firearms and explosives seized in the warrant were forfeited and destroyed.

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