MAN WHO CALLED POLICE FOR HELP FINED OVER DRUGS
A MAN who called police to his property following a disturbance found himself on the receiving end of the law when he was charged over possession of cannabis as well as cannabis-growing gear.
Thomas Glen Dennis, 35, pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on May 5 to three charges in relation to the raid on his property in Foresthome, Hinchinbrook Shire, on July 17, 2021.
The charges were possession of dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia and equipment used in the commission of a crime.
Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said Dennis called police to report a domestic violence incident at 8pm.
He said the incident in conjunction with police intelligence led officers to “form a reasonable suspicion” that drugs were on the property resulting in the search and the discovery of the illegal items.
Mr Theed said that in total, police found 68.5g of cannabis, 4.5g of seeds, a bong, electric grinder, used cone piece and equipment used in a “grow set-up”, including a tub and light used for indoor plants.
“He told police he was going to be using it for fish, then he stated it would be used to grow tomatoes before finally conceding it was going to be used for growing cannabis.”
He said the defendant’s plea was not an early one and he had a previous recent entry for possession of dangerous drugs for which he had been fined $500. Defence lawyer Jack Giudes said his client called police to help remove his intoxicated partner from the property, which resulted in the search and arrest.
He said Dennis had suffered spinal injuries in a workplace accident two years ago and used marijuana to alleviate the pain.
Mr Giudes said his client had subsequently obtained a doctor’s certificate for the legal use of medicinal marijuana and “the risk of reoffending is low”.
Magistrate Steven Mosch noted that Dennis had four previous appearances before the courts on drug-related charges but the last was in 2019.
He also noted that the amount of drugs seized “was more than a normal quantity of cannabis”.
Mr Mosch also noted that despite the discovery of growing equipment there were no “allegations that you were actually producing a dangerous drug”. Dennis was convicted and fined $1500.