Darren Brown and Adam Turner jailed over cross-country cannabis trafficking scheme, Ibrahim Abbas yet to plead

As debts mounted, an Adelaide chef allegedly hatched a scheme with his long-time mate and a driver to move drugs across Australia – now two of them have been jailed.

Veteran chef Ibrahim Abbas outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

A veteran chef became involved in cross-country cannabis trafficking to aid a debt-ridden yoga instructor and a man so “desperate to be a father” he “maxed out” his credit cards for IVF, a court has heard.

Ibrahim Abbas will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court next month to answer allegations he planned to transport almost $137,000 worth of cannabis from Adelaide to Brisbane.

However his co-accused, Darren Stephen Brown and Adam Turner, have already pleaded guilty in the District Court – and on Wednesday were jailed for their offending.

In sentencing, Judge Michael Burnett said Brown and Mr Abbas – who have been friends since 1997 – formulated the plot, while Turner was the courier driver.

“Brown, with your friend Mr Abbas, you devised a scheme to transport cannabis from SA to Queensland, where it can be sold for a higher price,” he said.

“Your motive was profit, the amount of cannabis was substantial and the profit was considerable.”

Darren Stephen Brown, a Queensland yoga instructor who has pleaded guilty to cannabis trafficking in a case that allegedly involves Adelaide chef Ibrahim Abbas. Picture: Supplied.

Adelaide chef Ibrahim Abbas, who is “long-time” friends with Brown. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mr Abbas, 64, of Flagstaff Hill, Mr Brown, 47, of Queensland and Mr Turner, 41, of Victoria, were arrested following a joint operation by SA and Queensland Police.

Brown and Turner admitted they were caught in possession of 21.1kg of cannabis worth $136,584, as well as $7409 in cash.

Prosecutors have alleged Mr Abbas was caught with eight cannabis plants being grown hydroponically, industrial-grade heat-sealing machines and $12,500 cash.

In February Mr Abbas – a professional chef with a 42-year career, a wife, a $28,000 mortgage and a knee requiring surgical reconstruction – told the court he would seek a plea bargain.

During sentencing submissions, Brown’s lawyer, Casey Isaacs, said his needed fast money to shore up his Bikram yoga studio, on the Gold Coast, in the wake of Covid-19 lockdowns.

“Mr Abbas was a longtime friend … in discussions, Brown spoke of his difficulties,” he said.

“Ultimately, there was a plan put in place whereby Brown would arrange for cannabis to be sourced in SA and then transported back to Queensland.

“I would not say it was at the instigation of Mr Abbas – it was a conversation that came up on two occasions.”

Robert Kane, for Turner, said his client was also struggling with significant debt, albeit for a very different reason.

“He and his wife attempted to conceive a child through IVF technology over a number of years … they were desperate … this had significant financial impact on them,” he said.

“Each treatment cost $10,000 per annum … at the time he made the frankly stupid decision to be involved in this offending, he was in significant financial straits.

“He owed some $30,000 and his credit cards were maxed out (when) he was offered $50,000 (by Brown) to drive a vehicle with cannabis from SA to Queensland.”

Mr Kane said his client knew at the time his actions were criminal, and was “very seriously remorseful” for his “very, very stupid decision”.

On Wednesday, Judge Burnett said Turner had played a less significant role in the operation than Brown, and stood to make a less profit, but had nonetheless committed a serious offence.

He jailed Turner for 27 months, with a 13-month non-parole period.

Judge Burnett sentenced Brown to almost four years’ jail, with a 23-month non-parole period.

Mr Abbas – whose lawyer, Stephen White, listened to the duo’s sentencing from the court gallery – will answer his charges next month.