Police locate drugs stolen from Gold Coast pharmacy stashed in a BBQ

Police have located a large quantity of prescription drugs stolen from a Gold Coast pharmacy stashed inside a BBQ. Read the full report

Police located drugs, stolen by Jamayne Marcus Kadel and his cousin, stashed inside a BBQ.

Large quantities of prescription medication, stolen from a Gold Coast pharmacy, were found stored inside a barbecue, a court was told.

Jamayne Marcus Kadel, 23, appeared at Southport Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to one count of breaking into premises and commit an indictable offence.

At about 6.30am on May 19, Kadel and his cousin arrived at the Merrimac Amcal pharmacy in a BMW, the court was told.

Jamayne Marcus Kadel appeared at Southport Magistrates Court. Picture: Facebook

Kadel, a passenger in the car, smashed through the glass front of the pharmacy using a sledgehammer, injuring himself in the process.

Police prosecutor Qi Wang said Kadel’s cousin, the driver, also exited the BMW and the pair began loading large quantities of prescription drugs – including painkillers codeine and mersyndol – into buckets before driving off.

Police attended the scene and identified Kadel and his cousin from CCTV footage.

Officers searched a Varsity Lakes residence, finding a cache of medication concealed in a barbecue around 7.30pm on May 25, Mr Wang said.

Four days later, police found Kadel at a Loganlea home with more prescription medications.

Kadel told officers that he had “been around bad influences”, specifically his cousin.

His defence lawyer Lisa Searing, of Allen & Searing Criminal Lawyers, said Kadel’s offending came after a drug relapse brought on by his cousin, who had been staying with him. It was also in breach of two suspended sentences of 12 months and six months.

Ms Searing said Kadel had previously struggled with valium and xanax use and had also been diagnosed with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Ms Searing said Kadel, who has a three-year-old child with his defacto partner, had since kicked his cousin out of his home. He also attends psychology sessions twice a week.

“He has been making some genuine efforts to turn things around,” she told the court.

Kadel was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, with the six-month suspended sentence activated, but he was granted immediate parole.

Originally published as Police locate drugs stolen from Gold Coast pharmacy stashed in a BBQ