Drug dealer Zebulon Jarrath Treble jailed over major meth bust – but judge shows mercy after hearing of horror childhood

This drug dealer, gambler and former manager of a celebrity DJ can apply for release in 10 months despite being caught with a meth haul worth up to $3m. Find out why.

A celebrity DJ-managing drug trafficker caught with $3m in meth will be eligible for release from jail in 10 months, due in part to a “deprived” childhood that included witnessing a murder.

On Friday, the District Court extended a measure of leniency to Zebulon Jarrath Treble, who faced a maximum life sentence and $1m fine for his involvement in a drug syndicate.

Judge Rauf Soulio noted Treble was “at the mid level” of the enterprise, did not benefit from its profits, and offended mainly to fund his addictions to cocaine and high-stakes poker.

He said that, despite those flaws, Treble had led an otherwise blameless life – which was “commendable” given his childhood in Victoria.

Zebulon Jarrath Treble. Picture: Facebook

“At the age of nine you experienced significant trauma when you witnessed the murder of your stepfather (and) became a witness in the prosecution case,” he said.

“At 12, your mother was charged with the manslaughter of a neighbour … the combination of experiences has no doubt had an effect upon your psychological functioning.

“As the High Court has said, the effect of profound childhood deprivation – and I accept that’s your experience – do not diminish over time (and) should be given full weight in sentencing.”

Treble, 37, pleaded guilty to trafficking in both a large commercial quantity and a basic commercial quantity of a controlled drug, as well as money laundering.

In September 2021, he was caught with 83.3g of methamphetamine – 53.1g of which was pure – while driving between Adelaide, Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

Police subsequently searched his home, finding smaller amounts of methamphetamine and a hydroponic setup in the back shed with 19 cannabis plants.

The meth was valued at between $500,000 and $900,000 but, if broken up into street deals, could have resulted in 50,000 drug sales worth up to $3m.

Treble denied the allegations at first, insisting he was not a drug courier and had been driving between the towns in order to visit his mistress.

He also asked for bail to travel overseas, saying he was an international talent manager and his client – Belfast-born electronic music producer Greg Downey – needed him in Thailand.

Mr Downey was not accused of any offending, and Treble’s bail plea was refused.

Following his guilty pleas and the revocation of his bail, Treble claimed to have been beaten, attacked and threatened with a shiv in prison.

In sentencing on Friday, Judge Soulio said Treble had taken full responsibility for his crimes and committed to rehabilitation programs.

His goal was to remain abstinent, the judge said, and psychological reports indicated that doing so would made his risk of reoffending negligible.

Judge Soulio imposed a prison term of four years, one month and 16 days and a non-parole period of 25 months.

He backdated that sentence to the revocation of Treble’s bail, leaving him eligible to seek release on parole from May next year.