Toddler left alone in car while father allegedly digs up meth, runs from police in Stake Hill

Friday, 15 September 2023 09:20

By Monique Welhan

Ashley David Crawford allegedly left his child alone in a car while he dug up meth. PIC: WA Police

A father has left his child alone in a car while he allegedly dug up meth which was hidden in bushland in Stake Hill.

Ashley David Crawford, 30, was allegedly watched by detectives enter bushland off Fishhawk Road with a shovel on Tuesday, September 12.

He allegedly used the shovel to dig up 1kg of methylamphetamine that had been buried inside two barrels.

When police approached Crawford he allegedly ran, but after a brief foot chase officers managed to arrest him.

"Detectives subsequently approached the man’s vehicle, which was parked nearby, at which time they discovered he had left a 3-year-old child in the vehicle while he went to recover the drugs, and attempt to run from police," a WA Police spokesperson said.

"It will be further alleged the two barrels that had been buried at the location contained a total of 15kg of Methylamphetamine."

The drugs were found inside two barrels which were buried under the ground. PIC: WA Police

Crawford, who is an alleged associate of the Coffin Cheaters, has been charged with a string of offences including possessing a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply it to another and possessing unlicensed ammunition.

He was refused bail and is next due to appear in the Perth magistrates Court on September 26, 2023.

Police also revealed they found 12kgs of meth buried in bushland in Dianella on Friday, September 8.

Investigations into this quantity of drugs and their origins remain ongoing.