Reece William Luscombe pleads guilty to meth trafficking

A meth trafficker driving around in a Maserati with more than $100k stashed at home had his high flying life come crashing down when police busted in his front door. Find out what unfolded.

A meth trafficker was driving around in a Maserati claimed in a drug debt and had $100,000 stashed in his home.

He used brutal force against those who owed him money, bragging he “bashed the f---” out of a woman. Now he’s sitting in jail.

Reece William Luscombe pleaded guilty to trafficking meth in Mackay.

Reece William Luscombe was in control of more than one kilogram pure methylamphetamines when he trafficked drugs for six months between 2019 and 2020.

When police busted the door of the Rural View father’s home in late March 2020 as part of operation Romeo Suitcase, detectives seized $108,620 in cash, 185.932 grams of pure meth in 320.383 grams of substance, weapons and a luxury car.

The drugs had a street value between $38,000 and $44,000.

Chloe Victoria Smith and Reece William Luscombe are accused of trafficking drugs. Luscombe has been jailed for nine years. Matters against Ms Smith are still proceeding through court.

Mackay Supreme Court heard Luscombe, 32, had taken a Maserati in lieu of a drug debt – he also allegedly bragged to his girlfriend Chloe Victoria Smith, who is also facing charges linked to Romeo Suitcase, that he “bashed the f---” out of a woman over a drug debt, taking jewellery and her car.

Mum of three Ms Smith is facing a raft of drug offences including trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs. Her matters are still proceeding in Mackay Magistrates Court.

Crown prosecutor Eddie Coker said there was limited information about the number of customers Luscombe had but, but evidence pointed to trafficking at wholesale amounts.

Shannon Michael Hita was jailed for eight years for stashing drugs for Luscombe as well as other drug-related charged.

“He was the one running the trafficking business,” Mr Coker said, adding it was an active business from the start of the police operation.

Luscombe stashed 1.438kg of substance containing 861.29 grams of pure ice at his mate Shannon Hita’s house. The street value was between $172,500 and $198,000.

The court heard he also allegedly used another man as a courier. Police allegedly found the man with $94,020 in cash and more than 22kg of marijuana split across about 50 bags with a street value between $75,000 and $224,000.

Mr Coker said Luscombe stored drugs and money at his home and arranged for people to attend his house, allegedly getting Ms Smith, who sat in the gallery for the sentencing hearing, to facilitate on occasion.

Police seized a Maserati as part of a major drug bust in Mackay.

Luscombe was a main target of Operation Romeo Suitcase with allegations the drug network extended from Gold Coast to Cairns with links to the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

He pleaded guilty to trafficking between September 30 and March 30, aggravated drug possession, possessing cash, category H weapons and drug-related items. The court heard much of the trafficking occurred while Luscombe was on parole for a prior trafficking.

Mr Coker said a starting penalty would be 11 to 12 years, reduced to 9.5 years with parole eligibility at the halfway mark for his early plea and that he recently directed police on where to find three firearms.

Police confiscated more than $100k when detectives raided Luscombe’s home.

“There needs to be some recognition of the fact he offended while on parole for trafficking by committing … more serious trafficking,” Mr Coker said.

Barrister Angus Edwards argued for between eight and nine years with parole eligibility after one third, plus four months and 16 days for trafficking while on parole. Luscombe has already spent 707 days in custody on remand.

Luscombe was a main target in police operation Romeo Suitcase.

“He’s had a difficult time in jail,” Mr Edwards said, adding his client had been apart from his children, was subject to prison lockdowns during Covid and had been assaulted.

But in that time, Mr Edwards said, Luscombe had completed two drug courses, a certificate two in business and sports and recreation, and had the offer of a construction job on his release.

The 32-year-old father was in control of more than 1kg of pure meth.

Justice David North sided with Mr Edwards, finding 11 years would be too high, but he said meth trafficking was so serious it held a 25 year maximum penalty.

“Because it’s addictive, addicts will go to great lengths to get their hands on it,” Justice North said, adding it was linked to property crime and domestic violence in the community.

Luscombe was jailed for nine years and will be eligible for parole on August 15, 2023. Convictions were recorded.