Jail for drug business
A FAR North businessman at the helm of a sophisticated mail order trade selling the drug cannabidiol (CBD) has been jailed in a landmark sentence imposed by the Cairns District Court.
Christopher Steven Bowtell pleaded guilty to possession and trafficking of prohibited Schedule 2 drug cannabidiol for 12 months between March 1, 2019 and March 17, 2020. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a flick knife and two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.
Crown legal officer Emily Thambyah told the court Mr Bowtell marketed a range of branded products containing CBD through a slick e-commerce style website after sourcing products offshore.
“(He) supplied to a broad customer base and he was not selective (about who he sold to) over the course of the tracking period,” she said. Ms Thambyah said a total profit was “just shy of $170,000.”
“People cannot just go selling CBD oil to whoever they please … whether or not the defendant knew CBD oil was (illegal) is irrelevant, ignorance of the law is no excuse,” she said.
CBD is used to treat anxiety, depression and pain but requires a prescription in Australia. The court heard it was the first time trafficking of CBD had been prosecuted. Judge Dean Morzone sentenced Bowtell to 28 months jail, taking into account an early plea and self-medicating with CBD to treat a back injury sustained while serving a five-year stint in the navy.
“You are a remarkable businessman,” he said. “By the time you are released (you will) have hatched an entrepreneurial business plan, which will catapult you back into our community.”
April 13, 2022 was set as a parole release date.