Caleb Darmody pleads guilty to possessing drugs worth $483,000

An Airlie Beach cocaine and meth pusher was busted with up to $483,000 worth of drugs as he was stocking up his supply stash. Find out what happened

An Airlie Beach cocaine and meth peddler was busted with up to $483,000 worth of drugs while he was stocking up his supply stash.

Crown prosecutor Eddie Coker said it was a “slightly odd case” in that Caleb Darmody was busted for a one-day trafficking stint on May 6, 2021 after police searched his car at Whitsunday Terraces Resort.

Mackay Supreme Court heard the then-22 year old was caught possessing 40.643 grams of cocaine in 80.165 grams of substance, 25.083 grams of meth in 36.888 grams of substance and 19.368kg of total weight of marijuana.

Police also found him with cash totalling $43,935.

Mr Coker said there was significant indication this was a drug trafficking business “on that day” and that Darmody had been restocking his cocaine, meth and marijuana supplies.

Darmody had a quantity of cocaine worth between $12,000 and $24,000 at street value.

The court heard the marijuana was valued between $138,000 and $415,000, the meth $25,000 and $44,500 and the cocaine $12,000 and $24,000.

“When police searched his home as they did on that day they also found a tick sheet,” Mr Coker said.

Darmody, who appeared via video link, pleaded guilty to a raft of charges including trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs, aggravated possession of drugs and possessing cash.

Now 23, he has spent 10 months and six days in custody on remand.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said his client had been diagnosed with ADHD, had experienced homelessness in his teens and developed a “fatalistic” attitude as a result of also being diagnosed with a serious neurological condition.

The court heard Darmody had travelled to Airlie Beach, found work at Dominos and started using drugs.

Mr McLennan said by the time of Darmody’s offending he was using grams of cocaine each week.

The court heard his ascent into drug use could be attributed to his medical condition, which led to his cocaine addiction.

Justice David North accepted it was a “one day slice” of what may have been happening up to the day he was caught.

Darmody was jailed for 4.5 years to be suspended after serving 12 months.

The remaining jail term will hang over his head for five years.

He must also complete a three-year probation order. Convictions were recorded.