Bundaberg man Jamie Hanks sentenced for drug trafficking

A 21-year-old man’s foray into drug dealing was uncovered following a police search of his home and phone with a customer base of up to 20 people.

Jamie Hanks

A Bundaberg man has been sentenced over his involvement in trafficking and producing dangerous drugs including cannabis and MDMA.

Jamie Matthew Hanks, 21, pleaded guilty to charges of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing items used in drug trafficking, producing dangerous drugs and trafficking dangerous drugs.

Judge Nathan Jarro handed Hanks a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years.

Public prosecutor John Tickle said on July 6 last year, police conducted a search warrant at Mr Hanks’ residence, uncovering less than a gram of cannabis in bud form, five cannabis plants, less than a gram of cannabis in a clip seal bag and a bowl with less than a gram of cannabis.

An examination of Hanks’ phone revealed texts and pictures documenting his involvement in cannabis trafficking from November 30, 2022, up until July 6 last year.

Mr Tickle said Hanks was also found to have sold diazepam and a 3.5g ball of MDMA.

Hanks admitted to supplying cannabis to friends, saying “I’m not big time”.

His customer base included up to 20 people, and he had been supplying cannabis for two years to fund his habit and cover living expenses.

The court heard that Hanks had suffered mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia and he got stuck with a group of friends who did drugs and he found participating was numbing.

The court was told he had been sober for the past two months and had been working on his uncle’s cattle farm for the past three months, expressing a desire to own his own cattle property someday.

However, the court was told there was no independent verification of his sobriety.

Judge Jarro said it was important the punishment served as a deterrent to Hanks and others from committing similar offences.

Although Hanks received a suspended sentence, he will face immediate imprisonment if he reoffends during the suspension period.
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