Ian Whitford and Jason De Ruwe sentenced for manufacturing cannabis oil at Morphett Vale

A drug dealer and his weed growing carer have been sentenced for making cannabis oil, in which the man told police his arrest would not stop the business.

A man has been jailed after telling police he wouldn’t stop making cannabis oil once they busted him the first time.

Ian David John Whitford, 57, and Jason Allan De Ruwe, 47, were sentenced in the Adelaide District Court last week for their joint enterprise.

The court heard police attended a Morphett Vale property on June 20, 2020 and found four marijuana plants.

“Police also located a large number of items associated with the processing of cannabis and manufacture of cannabis oil,” Judge Simon Stretton said during sentencing.

Police found 18.92g of cannabis oil, as well as scales, grinder and a blender.

They returned on June 23, 2020 and found further cannabis oil and Facebook messages from Whitford showing he was intending to sell it.

“You told police your arrest would not stop you from continuing your production of illicit drugs and it would only cost you $1,000 to set everything back up,” Judge Stretton said.

Whitford and De Ruwe, both of Morphett Vale, had previously pleaded guilty to cultivating a controlled plant and manufacturing cannabis oil.

Jason De Ruwe. Picture: Facebook

Ian Whitford. Picture: Facebook

“The manufacturing was plainly not an isolated event limited to the days of police attendance, rather it was an ongoing business of manufacturing,” Judge Stretton said.

The court heard De Ruwe had been Whitford’s carer for the past six years.

“You, Mr De Ruwe, are a very heavy cannabis user and your role was to permit the use of these premises for Mr Whitford to manufacture the oil and, obviously, you were also involved in the growing of the four plants,” Judge Stretton said.

The court heard Whitford has had a number of motorcycle accidents.

“You suffer chronic pain and osteoarthritis in many of your joints and have had your left hip replaced, with a possibility of a further right knee replacement,” Judge Stretton said.

“You began using cannabis as an additional pain relief strategy.”

The court heard Whitford was manufacturing the cannabis oil to support his own drug use, as well as making an ongoing profit.

Judge Stretton sentenced Whitford to eight months jail.

De Ruwe was sentenced to four months jail, suspended on a good behaviour bond for two years, with supervision for 12-months.