Dylan McPherson sentenced for growing commercial marijuana crops in Burton

Police uncovered a dealer’s commercial marijuana crops, after he concocted the plan to save money on drugs and to supply to his mates at parties.

A truck driver was growing weed as a side hustle to offset the cost of his own habit and sell to his mates at parties.

Dylan Albert Scott McPherson, 30, dodged jail after police uncovered his sophisticated enterprise.

The Adelaide District Court last week heard the Burton truck driver concocted a plan to grow commercial marijuana crops to save money on buying drugs.

Police searched McPherson’s property in 2019 and found 6.2kg of wet marijuana in the process of drying, which would have amounted to approximately 1.55kg when dry.

They also found prescribed equipment including carbon filters, light shades and globes and found McPherson had been diverting electricity.

Marijuana found at Dylan McPherson's Burton property. Picture: SA court registry

Marijuana crops found at Dylan McPherson's Burton property. Picture: SA court registry

“You accept that you had been in the process of growing more than one crop,” Judge Joanne Tracey said during sentencing.

“You were growing cannabis primarily for your own use, given what your heavy use was costing you, and that on occasion you would sell cannabis to friends to offset the cost of setting up your enterprise.”

McPherson also had a quantity of steroids, methamphetamine, double-edged knives and a taser at the property.

Marijuana found at Dylan McPherson's Burton property. Photo: SA court registry

McPherson pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including commercial drug trafficking.

The court heard the father-of-two started growing the crops a couple of years before being caught and would sell to his friends at parties.

“After a diagnosis of thyroid cancer in 2018 you chose to self-medicate with the drug for pain relief,” Judge Tracey said.

The court heard McPherson has cut down his marijuana use significantly.

Judge Tracey sentenced McPherson to two years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of 18-months.

Due to McPherson’s employment and rehabilitation efforts, the sentence was suspended on two-year good behaviour bond, with supervision.