Nicholas John Kozak leaves the ACT Courts after being granted bail in 2023. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A former used-car salesman ended up running his own drug-dealing business before it all unravelled.
The ACT Supreme Court heard how, in June 2022, police conducted a traffic stop on Nicholas John Kozak while he was driving a tow truck carrying another vehicle, both of which he owned. There was also a passenger in his truck.
During a search of the truck, the officers found a hidden phone as well as 90 grams of cocaine and 120 boxes of Panadol Extra.
The trafficable quantity of cocaine is six grams, which means Kozak was found with 15 times this amount.
Then, in February 2023, police searched Kozak’s white Ford Ranger and found $10,000 in cash as well as $40,000 in cash inside his home.
The then-24-year-old was arrested and spent one night in custody before he was granted bail.
Forensic evidence later connected him to the items, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum told the court earlier in December 2025 when Kozak came before her to be sentenced.
She said it was clear from the circumstances that he was more than a street-level dealer, but he was also not at the top hierarchy of drug dealing.
The court heard that Kozak told the author of a report that he let his addiction control his actions and choices at the time. He admitted to developing an expensive habit with the drug.
Chief Justice McCallum accepted that his use of cocaine informed his early decisions to sell it.
But she also said it appeared he was running his own business in the trade of cocaine and was making some profit.
Kozak had a good upbringing and a supportive family, had reportedly been abstinent since his arrest and accepted responsibility for his offences.
The Chief Justice said he had good prospects for rehabilitation and was unlikely to reoffend.
Kozak pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine and possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
He was convicted and sentenced to a two-year intensive corrections order, a community-based sentence under which he must perform 200 hours of community service.
Interesting too you define sovereignty and democracy as effectively invading another country and… View