Yatina couple Rachel Louise Bass and Shane Richards jailed for trafficking cannabis

An Upper North couple have been jailed after police found close to 2kg of cannabis and thousands of dollars in cash during a traffic stop.

A couple from a tiny Upper North community busted with stash of cannabis and cash in their car at Ottoway have been jailed.

Yatina grandparents Rachel Louise Bass, 54, and Shane Richards, 58, were trafficking cannabis to fund personal use and to alleviate financial pressures.

During sentencing, the District Court heard police stopped a car at Ottoway on May 4, 2021, in which Bass was the driver and Richards was the passenger.

The car was searched after police detected a strong smell of cannabis.

They located 416g of female cannabis material in a duffel bag in the front passenger footwell, which Richards pleaded guilty to.

The court heard the value of the cannabis was between $2000 to $3000 and worth much more if sold in smaller amounts.

Police also located over 1.2kg of cannabis in a duffel bag in the back seat of the car, which Bass pleaded guilty to.

The court heard the cannabis was valued between $6000 to $12,000 if sold by the pound.

Bass’ handbag contained just over $4900.

The cash found during the searches. Picture: Courts SA

The cash found during the searches. Picture: Courts SA

Police then searched the 70-acre property where the couple lived and located a shed that appeared to be a cannabis grow room, containing 20 pots, an irrigation system and a set up for lighting.

They also found cash totalling $7480 and five small cannabis cuttings which were in poor condition.

Bass pleaded guilty to commercial drug trafficking, while Richards pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

The court heard Richards was sentenced in 2021 to 21 years jail, with a non-parole period of 16 years for child sex offences.

The marijuana found in Bass and Richard’s car during a traffic stop at Ottoway. Picture: Courts SA

Rachel Bass and Shane Richards were jailed for drug trafficking. Picture: Courts SA

“Your involvement with cannabis is longstanding and in the past you used cannabis for pain relief,” Judge Michelle Sutcliffe said.

The court heard Bass, who has multiple prior convictions for drug trafficking, was motivated by financial pressures relating to the family property and Richards’ cannabis use.

The court heard Bass and Richards had been in a relationship for 39 years, with five children and now grandchildren.

Judge Sutcliffe said there was no evidence the couple was living a lavish lifestyle.

Richards was sentenced to two years and nine months jail, with his non-parole period from the child sex offending now being extended to 17 years.

Bass was sentenced to two years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of ten months.