Haigslea teen drug dealer Keara Leisa-Maree Rowe sold meth for iPhone

A court has heard how an Ipswich teenage meth dealer went from working in Red Rooster and a supermarket to trading drugs with technology.

Generic photo of girl with a phone. Picture: iStock

A teenage drug dealer sold methamphetamine from her Samsung tablet in exchange for money and a Apple iPhone, a court has heard.

Keara Leisa-Maree Rowe, 19, appeared in Ipswich District Court for possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime and for eight counts of supplying schedule one dangerous drug, methamphetamine.

The court heard an arrest warrant for Rowe was issued on December 18, 2022, with the offending occuring over a period of two and a half months.

She was 18 at the time of the offending and arrests.

The court heard the defendant supplied various quantities of methamphetamine across eight occasions to five different people.

Rowe facilitated the drug transactions from a Samsung tablet.

The court heard the quantities of methamphetamine ranged from 0.1g (approximately $20-$50) to 3.5 grams (approximately $850).

However, on one occasion, Rowe sold methamphetamine in exchange for a Apple iPhone.

Judge Amanda McDonnell said Rowe had a limited criminal history and came from a fairly dysfunctional background.

Judge McDonnell said Rowe’s mother was previously in prison and her father was still serving time.

“As a result you live with your grandparents,” Judge McDonnell said.

“You’ve written an apology letter to the court … and reflected and recognised you have made poor choices.”

Judge McDonnell said Rowe was cooperative with police and unlocked the tablet for them to view the messages.

The court heard two of the counts happened during a previous probation order.

The defendant previously worked at Red Rooster and an IGA, and during her time in prison has done some courses and bible study.

Rowe’s family was in court supporting her and the court heard she intended to find employment in retail after being released from custody.

For the eight supplying drugs charges she was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and for the one possession charge she was sentenced to six months imprisonment, all sentences are to be served concurrently with all convictions recorded.

She has already served 267 days in pre-sentence custody and was eligible for parole.

Rowe will appear in Ipswich Magistrate Court for other offences on October 19, 2023.

These charges include, one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, four charges of breach of bail, two charges of driving without a licence demerit point suspended, one charge of enter premises and commit indictable offence, one charge of enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, two fail to appear charges, one charge of fraud, two charges of drug driving, four charges of stealing, one trespassing charge, one unlawful possession of a motor vehicle charge and four charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

She will apply for bail on her magistrates court charges September 12, 2023.