Former monk Jordan Harley jailed for six counts of drug trafficking

From a life of abstinence to hooked on meth, a former monk was busted running a booming drug dealing scheme and selling magic mushrooms, pot brownies, fantasy and MDMA.

A former monk fell back into his old tricks and started dealing a variety of drugs to multiple customers.

Jordan Harley, 27, strayed from his life of spirituality after he got hooked on methamphetamine.

The Adelaide District Court on Wednesday heard police stopped Harley while he was driving and noticed a strong smell of marijuana on September 28, 2020 at Northfield.

Police searched the car and found 80g of marijuana, 527g of GHB, also known as fantasy, 33g of magic mushrooms and marijuana brownies.

They also found drug paraphernalia and tick lists.

Harley’s phone was analysed and drug dealing text messages were found.

“You were actively engaged in the business of selling drugs, including cannabis, fantasy, MDMA, methamphetamine and magic mushrooms for a period of approximately six months,” Judge Jane Schammer said during sentencing.

Police noticed Harley riding a bike with no helmet on April 16, 2021 at Brompton.

When they approached him he ran away.

Police searched Harley’s backpack and found 1.9g of methamphetamine and 157g of fantasy.

Jordan Harley was jailed for six counts of drug trafficking. Picture: iStock

Harley, of Brompton, pleaded guilty to six counts of drug trafficking.

The court heard Harley began using drugs from a young age and dealt to fund his habit.

Harley became involved with the Hare Krishna movement in 2014.

“You came heavily involved in the movement and believed that this was your opportunity to start a new spiritual pathway in life,” Judge Schammer said.

“You moved into an Ashram and lived there as a monk for a period of about two years, living a life of abstinence.”

Harley relapsed back into drug use for the first time in six years after a relationship breakdown.

“You returned to the use of methamphetamine and immediately became hooked on the drug,” Judge Schammer said.

“You continued to use drugs and sell them to fund your addiction and your living expenses.”

The court heard Harley had been drug free since being in custody.

“I accept that you are an intelligent and articulate person with a strong, religious faith – such that your offending is at odds with your morals,” Judge Schammer said.

She sentenced Harley to four years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of 18-months.

The sentence was backdated to April 16, 2021.