Renae O’Bryan sentenced for drug trafficking in Whyalla, alongside boyfriend Simon Caldwell

A former salon owner who entangled herself in her boyfriend’s country drug-dealing business by packaging meth and taking sales calls did so for free drugs, a court heard.

A mother has avoided jail after she entangled herself in her boyfriend’s country drug-dealing business by taking sales inquiries and packing drugs for sale, a court heard.

Renae Elma O’Bryan, 34, turned to using methamphetamine after a traumatic event in her life and joined forces to sell the product with her partner, Simon Andrew Caldwell.

The District Court on Thursday heard police found over 7.39g of a substance, which contained 2g of pure methamphetamine, at Whyalla Norrie in October 2020.

Police analysed two phones and found messages consistent with O’Bryan and Caldwell selling methamphetamine.
The Whyalla mother-of-two pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

Renae O’Bryan was sentenced for drug trafficking. Picture: Facebook

During sentencing, Judge Ian Press said the business generated a “not insignificant amount” of money.

The court heard O’Bryan did not profit directly from the enterprise but indirectly benefited by obtaining drugs.

“You took calls and packaged drugs for sale, I accept you were not the driving force behind that business,” Judge Press said.

The court heard O’Bryan was a qualified hairdresser and had previously owned her own salon in Gawler which wasn’t successful.

The court heard O’Bryan’s former partner, who was the father of her two sons, came back into their life in 2016/17.

However, he ended up relocating to Victoria with them.

“You were understandably extremely distraught at this development,” Judge Press said.

“You began to use methamphetamine … your income was spent on funding your addiction.”
The court heard O’Bryan then became involved with Caldwell, who was also a methamphetamine user.
The court heard O’Bryan, who now lives with her sons, had stopped using methamphetamine and was undertaking a nail technician course.

She is no longer in a relationship with Caldwell.

Judge Press sentenced O’Bryan to three years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of two years.
Due to O’Bryan’s rehabilitation efforts and minimal role in the offending, the sentence was suspended on a $100, two-year good behaviour bond, with supervision.

Judge Press will sentence Caldwell, who also pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, next month.