Allan Browne in court for producing, possessing marijuana

A miner who suffered pain from a ‘significant’ injury he got on the job has fronted Gympie court for running his own makeshift hydroponic set-up.

Allan Browne, 40, has been given probation after being caught with more than 1.7kg or marijuana at his Woondum, Gympie, home, some of which was being grown in a hydroponic tent downstairs at his home.

A 40-year-old former miner was placed on probation by a Gympie court on Thursday after pleading guilty to having more than 1.7kg of marijuana, some of which was being grown in a hydroponic tent under his home.
Allan Browne pleaded guilty in Gympie District Court to four drug-related charges, including producing dangerous drugs in excess of 500g, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing an item used in the commission of a drug offence, and possessing drug-related utensils.

The court heard Browne’s hydroponic set-up was found by police when they searched his property at Woondum, in Gympie’s rural outskirts, on November 30, 2023.

It was during the search Browne directed the police to a tent downstairs at the home.

Allan Browne, 40, has been given probation after being caught with more than 1.7kg or marijuana at his Woondum, Gympie, home, some of which was being grown in a hydroponic tent downstairs at his home.

Browne’s set-up included LED lights and extraction fans.

Police found a total of 1.76kg of the drug in his possession, including eight plants weighing 316g.

They also found two water pipes, a grinder, and electric scales in the home.

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The court heard the marijuana was for Browne’s personal use.

His criminal history included two appearances at Queensland’s magistrates courts for marijuana related offences.

These resulted in a $1500 fine in 2005 for the production of marijuana, and possession of marijuana in 2013 for which he was given six months’ probation.

Browne’s lawyer told the court the 40-year-old used the drug to manage pain from a “significant” injury he suffered while working in the mines.

Judge Michael Byrne placed him on 18 months’ probation.