Western Downs offenders named and shamed for weird drug-related cases

From a man who was caught sending himself marijuana through the post to another who forgot about drugs in his pants while at court, these are some of the weird drug-related cases that have gone through Western Downs court this year.

A Tara man who attempted to mail himself cigarette boxes filled with marijuana through Australia Post and a Dalby man who left a stash of drugs in his pants are just two of the people who appeared in court for drug-related offences this past year.

See the full list of the weird drug-related cases that were dealt with in a Western Downs court recently.

Father’s drug supply attempt foiled by Australia Post staff

A father of two who attempted to mail drugs to himself through Australia Post was caught red-handed by post office staff when they noticed a strong stench coming from his package.

Ashley Livingstone told staff he was mailing cigarettes to a friend when he visited the Tara post office on April 4 last year.

Dalby Magistrates Court was told later the same afternoon a staff member smelt a strong scent when they went to collect parcels from their mailing box.

Ashley Livingstone – Facebook

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said CCTV confirmed the package was the same one posted by the 47-year-old earlier that day.

“It had no recipient details and there were cigarette boxes taped together, which contained 15.5g of cannabis,” Sergeant Brady said.

Livingstone pleaded guilty to supplying and possessing drugs, as well as possessing utensils and explosives.

He was fined $900.

Full story.

Jailed man ‘forgot’ drugs stashed in pocket

After being jailed for dozens of offences including supplying drugs, a Dalby man was escorted to the watch-house where police found marijuana he’d “forgotten” stashed in his pocket after smoking before court.

William James Hine fronted Dalby Magistrates Court on July 4 2022 where he was ordered to serve three months behind bars for a total of 41 drug, weapon and vehicle-related offences.

William James Hine. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said the 40-year-old was taken to the watch-house where police found 1.2g of marijuana in the pocket of his pants.

“He said he had smoked earlier that day but forgot it was in his pocket,” Sergeant Brady said.

Hine pleaded guilty to one count of possessing dangerous drugs.

He was sentenced to one months’ jail, which was wholly suspended for 12 months.

Full story.

Man busted after failed drug deal attempts

A convicted drug trafficker was berated by a judge after again fronting court on serious charges related to meth and marijuana.

Charles Hodges Edward Maxwell claimed he had changed his ways since being convicted of drug trafficking in 2004, despite continually facing court for drug-related charges from 2014 to 2020.

Crown prosecutor Brendan White said there was 1.5g of meth and 14g of marijuana, and police discovered six separate occasions where the 40-year-old messaged others asking if they wanted to buy drugs.

The court was told the only supply attempts occurred throughout May 2021, with only one of the six attempts being completed.

That transaction involved 2.6g of meth for an unknown price.

Defence barrister Frank Martin said his client’s drug addiction stemmed from abuse throughout his childhood.

Maxwell pleaded guilty to six counts of supplying drugs, and one each of possessing weapons, possessing drugs, possessing utensils, failing to take reasonable care with syringes.

He was sentenced to 15 months’ jail, with a parole release date of November 23, 2022.

Full story.

NO CONVICTION RECORDED

How vomit near a car led police to drug paraphernalia, weapons stash

Police made an alarming discovery when they came across a car that was pulled over on the side of a Dalby road with the engine running, and no view of anyone in the driver’s seat before finding a man lying reclined in his vehicle.

Dalby Magistrates Court was told police noticed a pile of vomit outside the car when they went to question Sam William French in the early hours of the afternoon on September 21, 2022.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins told the court police had reason to believe the man was under the influence.

“When they searched the car they found clip seal bags, taser, knuckle duster, a glass pipe, Viagra, benzodiazepine and a notebook with information like a tick sheet,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

French pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of weapons, two counts of possessing medicines or hazardous poisons, possessing explosives, property suspected of having been used in connection with drugs and possessing drug utensils.

He was fined $600, and no conviction was recorded.

Full story.

Police uncover drug stash in Dalby home raid

A court was told a woman busted with a range of drugs during a police raid was “just experimenting” and had quit the habit.

Saraeah Theresa Hope Noter was caught with drugs and utensils when police raided a Dalby home on September 14 last year.

Saraeah Theresa Hope Noter was sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court 2022. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said the 23-year-old was present at the home when authorities found 4.8g of ketamine, 34g of marijuana, 72g of illegal tobacco and multiple bongs.

“She said she knew it was tobacco and used it to mix with weed,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

Noter pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs and one count each of producing drugs, unlawful possession of excisable goods and possessing utensils that had been stolen.

She was fined $800 and ordered to forfeit all items.

No conviction was recorded.

Man busted drug driving, impersonating cops

A drug driver ousted himself for a string of traffic offences after he drew attention to himself by using police-like flashing lights on his car along a busy Dalby road.

Concerned road users contacted police after they saw Kurtis David Chalk driving a car along Jandowae Rd with blue and red flashing lights on his dashboard, overtaking other cars on October 20 last year.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins told Dalby Magistrates Court police located the 26-year-old and found a light bar with “similar appearance to police lights”.

During the search, the court was told police also found an empty clip seal bag and after conducting a drug test, he presented a positive reading for meth.

Chalk pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating a public officer, possessing property suspected of having been used with the commission of a drug offence and two counts of drug driving.

He was fined a total of $1400 and disqualified from driving for three months for the first drug driving offence and received one month disqualification for the second drug driving offence.

Convictions were recorded for the traffic offences, however no conviction was recorded for the criminal offences of impersonating police and being in possession of property suspected of having been used with the commission of a drug offence.

Full story.