Man busted with stash

Pure meth found in drug raid

A 29-YEAR-OLD Roma man found with a large amount of pure methamphetamine has been jailed after pleading guilty to “joint” possession of the drug.

Darren James Osborne and a female acquaintance were at a Roma home when police arrived with a search warrant on May 9, 2021, Toowoomba Supreme Court heard.

Osborne declared he had three ice pipes in the bedroom where police found only one pipe.

However, during the search of the bedroom police found three clip seal bags which contained a total 9.965g of substance, of which 7.323g was pure meth, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald told the court Osborne declared ownership of the drug but both were charged.

Ms Friedewald said the Crown accepted Osborne’s share of the drug was intended for his own personal use while it was alleged the woman’s share may have been for a commercial purpose.

Osborne appeared in custody to plead guilty to possessing meth above the 2g schedule.

His co-accused’s matter is yet to be dealt with by the court.

Ms Friedewald said Osborne had spent a total 426 days in custody on this and other offences but 70 days of that time could be declared as served under this sentence.

Defence barrister David Jones said his client had upcoming matters in the Magistrates Court in December 13, so would remain in custody regardless of whether he was granted the immediate parole he submitted for.

His client was not living in the room where the drugs were found and it’s by his own admissions that he was charged, Mr Jones said.

Justice David Boddice took into account the amount of pre-sentence custody already served and reduces the sentence to 15 months in jail, with immediate parole.