Ashley Boyd Palmer sentenced in Ipswich District Court for supplying meth, MDMA and marijuana

A Springwood tradie was “casually confident” about dealing methamphetamines, marijuana and MDMA before a police sting targeting drug trafficking led officers to him.

A Springwood construction worker has avoided jail time after being sentenced for dealing meth, marijuana, MDMA and other drugs over a four-month period.

A police sting targeting drug trafficking in the Ipswich area led police to Ashley Boyd Palmer, when he was identified as a contact of two traffickers officers were investigating.

Police intercepted Palmer’s phone and discovered he was dealing drugs to six people between July and October 2020.

An analysis of the 41-year-old’s phone revealed he supplied methamphetamine, marijuana, MDMA and other drugs but it was unknown how much money Palmer made from the deals.

Police searched his Springwood home on November 3, 2020, and seized items including his phone, a clip seal bag with 1g of marijuana, six restricted pills which he didn’t have a prescription for, a hose piece and cone piece for smoking and a hypodermic syringe and needle which was not properly disposed of.

Palmer was arrested but declined to participate in a police interview.

Ashley Boyd Palmer was “confident” about his ability to source and supply drugs before a police sting led officers to him.

Palmer pleaded guilty on Wednesday to nine counts of supplying schedule 2 dangerous drugs and one count of possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

He also pleaded guilty to five summary offences; two charges of possessing dangerous drugs and one charge each of fail to properly dispose of needle and syringe, possessing utensils or pipes for use and obtain restricted drug when not endorsed under regulation.

The Ipswich District Court heard that an analysis of texts on Palmer’s phone revealed that people would come to him with requests and he would source drugs on their behalf.

Palmer would introduce new drug users to the supply network and “achieved repeat patronage.”

In October, Palmer was contacted about supplying acid, and nine days after making the deal Palmer offered the buyer more.

The court heard Palmer “demonstrated a casual confidence” in his ability to source and supply drugs.

Defence barrister Cecelia Bernard said Palmer had a history of drug abuse but had attended rehab and remained clean for three years from 2016 to 2019.

She said Palmer “slipped back” into using drugs again “recreationally” when he began associating with a drug using colleague from the Gold Coast construction company where he is a foreman.

She said he would use “small amounts” of methamphetamine at a time.

Palmer was “extremely remorseful” and ashamed by his behaviour, the court heard.

Palmer was given a head sentence of two years and released on immediate parole.