Pot sales to fund coke habit

A CONSTRUCTION worker caught with $90,000 worth of cannabis said he was selling the drug to fund his “significant cocaine addiction”.

Michael George Badawy had almost 14kg of pot in his car and Biggera Waters home.

Badawy, 24, yesterday pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing dangerous drugs.

His mother cried as Judge Katherine McGinness sentenced Badawy to two years in prison with a parole release date on July 20.

Judge McGinness said it was clear the drugs were for commercial purposes.

The court was told Badawy sold the cannabis to fuel his cocaine habit.

“It appears you used drugs to boost your self-confidence,” she said.

Judge McGinness praised Badawy’s attempts to get clean since his arrest in 2017, including quitting drugs cold turkey.

The court was told Badawy’s Biggera Waters home was raided by police on November 16, 2017.

Police found clipseal bags of cannabis in Badawy’s car and more cannabis in the car.

The cannabis weight almost 14kg and had a street value of about $90,000.

Badawy’s flatmate Bryce Montrose-Murray was also charged and his matter is still progressing through the court.

The court was told guns and about $55,000 in cash was also found.

Badawy is contesting those charges, which are set to be heard in the Southport Magistrates Court in the coming months.

Badawy’s barrister James McNab, instructed by Derek Legal, said Badawy began using cannabis at 14 and by 17 had escalated to MDMA and other pills.

He started using cocaine when he was aged 21.