Drugs sold from diner

A MAN who sold drugs from a Townsville eatery in which he worked has been jailed for five years.

Andrew Charles McCarrick’s drug trafficking was described as a “brazen and sophisticated” act.

The Supreme Court in Townsville heard McCarrick profited about $ 60,000 during six months of trafficking.

He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possession.

Crown prosecutor Will Slack said McCarrick trafficked in cannabis for six months and methamphetamines for four months.

The charges relate to the period between January to August, 2016.

Mr Slack said McCarrick, 38, sold the drugs at a Douglas diner, where he worked in a senior role.

The court was told that at times there was a queue of five people waiting to buy drugs from McCarrick, who kept the drug in a safe at the back of the diner. Mr Slack said McCarrick, of Garbutt, bought a pound of cannabis every one to two weeks and sold it in ranges between 1.5g to multiple ounces.

He admitted to selling three ounces on one occasion.

The court was told that McCarrick bought 3.5g of methamphetamines every one to two weeks and sold it in point and half a gram quantities.

He sold between 14.5 and 29 pounds of cannabis and 31 and 63g of methamphetamines during the trafficking period.

The court heard McCarrick’s drug trafficking was sophisticated and significant.

Mr Slack said McCarrick was estimated to have made a minimum of $ 60,000 during the six- month period.

The court heard the defendant would store the drugs in a safe at the start of his shift and customers would attend the store and either go directly to the safe at the back of the store or ask for McCarrick at the front counter.

Mr Slack said drugs were occasionally delivered to the store.

The Crown said he was trafficking in drugs to make a profit but initially it started to support his drug habit.

The court heard McCarrick had boasted to a co- worker about his high profits from his trafficking business.

Barrister David James said McCarrick had made admissions to police.

“It was his desire to assist in the investigations,” he said.

Mr James said his client had a strong full- time work history in hospitality and strong family ties.

The court heard the Townsville Grammar School graduate had a strong desire to turn his life around.