Richard Henry Jessen pleaded guilty to six dangerous drug related offences

A Central Queensland man’s sophisticated drug operation was busted by Gladstone police after a search warrant was executed on his Telina home.

A man’s suburban marijuana growing operation, which included an insulated grow room, was shut down by Gladstone police who uncovered a swath of drugs at his home.

Richard Henry Jessen, 42, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on December 10 to five drug charges including producing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said on September 7, around 4.20pm, police executed a search warrant on Jessen’s Mars Crescent address in Telina.

During the search police located an insulated storage room in the yard of the dwelling which contained 26 marijuana plants, three marijuana seedlings and a total of 180.73 grams of marijuana.

In the kitchen police found a further 34.55 grams of cannabis in a glass jar which was labelled “Shell shock”.

When questioned, Jessen told police he and his wife grew marijuana for his wife’s personal use.

Jessen said he had set up the grow room which consisted of a temperature-controlled room with LED grow lamps that supported the growth of the 26 marijuana plants.

Police observed a number of used fertiliser and plant nutrient containers located in a bin beside the room, and further partially used containers were located.

Jessen’s lawyer Jun Pepito said his client had an insignificant criminal history with no like offences and his penalty should reflect as such.

Magistrate Bevan Manthey convicted and sentenced Jessen to 12 months probation with a no drug use condition. Convictions were recorded.