Philip Careswell jailed for commercial marijuana operation at Carey Gully

A churchgoing ice hockey player tending to 12kg of marijuana and multiple grow rooms said he got involved in the “thriving” commercial operation for free rent.

A judge does not believe a man was growing and tending to kilograms of marijuana worth significant amounts of money, only in exchange for free rent.

Philip John Careswell, was jailed for over four years after he played a significant role in the “thriving operation”.

The court heard police attended Careswell’s Carey Gully property on April 23, 2020 on information that he may be growing marijuana.

“A search of the premises revealed that two rooms had been modified for the purpose of growing cannabis hydroponically,” Judge Geraldine Davison said during sentencing.

Police found 21 marijuana plants in the grow rooms, 12.977kg of marijuana in multiple bags and jars throughout the house, as well as light shades and globes.

Careswell had also been diverting electricity.

“The operation being conducted in this house was a significant commercial operation,” Judge Davison said.

“Most, if not all, of this house was dedicated to the cultivation and production of cannabis on a commercial scale.

“There is every reason to think that it was a thriving operation.”

Philip Careswell was jailed for his commercial marijuana operation. Photo: SA court registry

The commercial marijuana operation found at the Carey Gully property Philip Careswell was living at. Photo: SA court registry.

The court heard Careswell’s relationship broke down in 2019 and he couldn’t afford the rent.

Careswell was then invited to live at the Carey Gully property, which he moved in to on November 23, 2019.

The commercial marijuana operation found at the Carey Gully property Philip Careswell was living at. Photo: SA court registry.

Philip Careswell said he looked after the commercial marijuana operation in exchange for free rent. Photo: SA court registry

Judge Davison said she didn’t believe Careswell’s submission that he was only looking after the crop in exchange for free rent.

“The messages on the phone indicate that you had a greater involvement, including that of selling drugs,” she said.

Philip Careswell was jailed for a commercial marijuana operation. Photo: Facebook

Careswell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including commercial drug trafficking.

The court heard Careswell, who was born in New Zealand, volunteers teaching ice hockey and plays the sport himself.

The court heard Careswell was a marijuana user but had since stopped taking drugs and was on the path to rehabilitation.

“A substantial part of your rehabilitation has related to your reconnection with your Christian faith,” Judge Davison said.

Judge Davison said Careswell contributed to the operation in a significant way.

“Not only were you involved in cultivation of a large quantity of cannabis, you were also involved in trafficking of over 12kg of the drug that was located at the same premises,” she said.

“This amount of drug is worth a significant amount of money.”

Judge Davison sentenced Careswell to four years and one month jail, with a non-parole period of two years.

The court heard Careswell is at risk of being deported to New Zealand upon his release from jail.