Police raid Ipswich man Dean Jason Elberg’s meth lab

An Ipswich man busted in a police raid with a meth lab said he started cooking the drug for personal use.

An Ipswich man has faced court on a raft of drug charges after police uncovered a meth lab in his shed.

The Supreme Court heard that during the drug raid, on March 29 last year, Dean Jason Elberg co-operated with police and led officers straight to his meth lab.

Justice Helen Bowskill said officers found 2.598g of ready-for-use meth, as well as cannabis and diazepam.

“Equipment and chemicals [were] located, consistent with being possessed for the purposes of producing methylamphetamine,” she said.

“There was a sample vial found, containing 86.6g of substance, but it was only three per cent purity.

“Other things were found, including iodine, pseudoephedrine and other substances.”

Justice Bowskill said there was no suggestion the 51-year-old had been selling the drug.

“You are being sentenced on the basis that you were operating this lab only to try to make methylamphetamine for your own personal consumption,” she said.

“It is clear that methylamphetamine addiction has really gripped you for much of your life.

Police raided an Ipswich meth lab. File photo, iStock

“Obviously, in the cold hard light of day, it is a bad choice, but the court acknowledges that you have clearly experienced a great deal of hardship, and also that it is a very difficult thing to overcome, an addiction like this.”

Justice Bowskill said Elberg had a long criminal history which included violent, drug and dishonesty crimes.

Elberg pleaded guilty at his June Supreme Court hearing to producing and possessing drugs, failure to dispose of a syringe or needle, and the unlawful possession of something used in the commission of a crime.

Justice Bowskill declared six months Elberg had spent in custody as time served.

She sentenced him to a three-year jail term, with immediate parole.

“There may be some programs or counselling that you are asked to get involved in,’’ she said.

“I am sure there will be random drug testing, and, of course, it is very important that you comply.

“With a bit of luck, maybe, the support that they can provide you can be of some assistance in the context of the addiction that has plagued you.”