Budding tradie claims drugs for his own use
A HINCHINBROOK man busted with a large amount of illicit drugs and cash in a highprofile police raid has been identified as a budding local tradesman.
Appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on September 2, Trebonne man Cameron Neil Ward, 27, pleaded guilty to seven drug-related charges, including one count each of possessing ice, cannabis and cocaine.
The remaining charges were possession of property suspected of having been used
in connection with the commission of a drug offence, two counts of possession of drug utensils or pipes and one of possession of $4375 in cash suspected of being the proceeds of a drug offence.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Erin Collis said Ingham Police CIB executed the search warrant early on May 7, recovering 92 grams of cannabis, 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, 0.34 grams of cocaine, drug utensils and the cash.
She said Ward, an expectant father, initially claimed he had withdrawn the $4375 from his superannuation, but could not recall when.
Defence lawyer Darren Robinson said his client worked full-time with a local plumbing company.
He conceded the case “looked bad” for his client.
“The only comfort I can provide is that it is all for personal use,” Mr Robinson said.
He said his client was looking to undertake an adult apprenticeship and was embarrassed by his predicament as he looked to enter the next phase of his life as a parent.
He asked for a fine and that no conviction be recorded as “one last chance”, adding that his client had indulged in drug use “out of boredom”.
In response to a question from Acting Magistrate Scott Luxton about the range and amount of drugs, Mr Robinson said his client would consent to probation where he could address his issues with illicit substances.
Mr Luxton noted the defendant had pleaded guilty to similar charges in Townsville in August, 2020, but convictions had not been recorded.
He said rehabilitation was a priority.
Ward was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on the condition that he submit to drug counselling and urine-analysis testing.
No convictions were recorded against him.