Second chance for mum on drugs

A WOMAN who was busted with cannabis worth up to $ 15,000 had the drug because she “came across a bargain”, a Townsville court has heard.

Jasmine Emma- Kay Waina faced Townsville Magistrates Court charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing drug utensils, possessing objects used in a drug offence and possessing weapons.

The 33- year- old mother- oftwo pleaded guilty to all charges and her defence lawyer, Paul Gray, said her drug use was to address health issues.

Mr Gray told Magistrate Scott Luxton that Waina had spent time in a mental health facility following the death of her father in 2016 and the birth of her now eldest daughter.

He said she had been on prescribed medication for depression and anxiety since then but had found natural remedies had the best results.

“Those include cannabis,” Mr Gray said. “The reason she had so much is because she came across a bargain.

“She bought the entire amount for around $ 2600.”

Mr Gray said his client had firearms in her possession because they belonged to her father and she kept them for sentimental reasons.

Waina was on bail for three drug offences, including possession of more than 600g of cannabis in April 2016, when she was arrested and charged with three further drug offences after a raid this February.

Mr Luxton made it clear that despite the significant amount of cannabis in Waina’s possession, there was no evidence the drugs were for anything other than personal use.

He said the fact Waina had drugs and weapons in her possession was concerning but decided to offer her the chance to rehabilitate herself, taking into account her lack of criminal history.

Waina agreed to serve two- year probation period. a