Lucas Tayler sentenced for couriering 3kg of marijuana from Adelaide to Port Augusta

An ex-KFC worker busted transporting 3kg of marijuana in exchange for free weed refused to dob in the others involved in the enterprise, a court has heard.

A drug courier busted transporting 3kg of marijuana to a country town refused to dob in the other people involved, a court has heard.

Lucas James Tayler, 22, made the “silly decision” to entangle himself in the enterprise in exchange for a small amount of free weed.

The District Court heard Tayler was travelling as a passenger in a car which was pulled over by police on the Port Augusta Highway on September 12, 2020.

They noticed a smell of marijuana coming from the car and searched it.

Lucas Tayler received a suspended sentence for drug trafficking. Photo: Instagram

Inside a pink duffel bag police found seven bundles of marijuana, totalling over 3kg.

“It is clear that the enterprise involved people other than you,” Judge Emily Telfer said during sentencing.

“You have not provided further information to the police about their identity and you know the identity of at least one.”

The court heard Tayler said he did not know precisely how much marijuana was in the bag but agreed to courier it from Adelaide to Port Augusta in exchange for half an ounce.

“You said that you obtained the duffel bag from a mate who asked you to bring it to Port Augusta where you were going to leave it in a prearranged spot,” Judge Telfer said.

The marijuana was valued between $17,500 and $21,000 if sold in pound lots.

“Involving yourself in the process of selling cannabis, including helping other people by transporting it, is a much, much more serious business than using it yourself,” Judge Telfer said.

“The commercial trade in drugs would not be able to operate without the co-operation of people like you who are prepared to perform aspects of the trade for reward.”

Tayler, of Port Augusta, pleaded guilty to commercial drug trafficking.

The court heard Tayler had previously worked at KFC and as a cleaner but was currently his mother’s carer.

Judge Telfer sentenced Tayler to one year and three months jail, with a non-parole period of nine months.

“Your offending history paints a picture of a young man who has made some silly decisions,” she said.

The sentence was sentenced on a two-year good behaviour bond, with supervision for 12 months.

Tayler was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service within one year.