The Gallery DJ Michael John Palmer caught with coke, cannabis, steroids
A muso and nightclub DJ woke up to police raiding his home, who then found a variety of drugs, broken glass pipes, and a homemade bong in his bedroom.
Police & Courts
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A popular nightclub DJ was sleeping at home when police searched his North Mackay home and found a variety of drugs he claimed were not his.
Michael John Palmer is a musician and regular DJ at The Gallery Lounge and Bar on the corner of Wood St, but was in bed asleep when an unrelated search revealed a stash of narcotics.
Though not Palmer’s first time in trouble after a conviction for stalking his bandmate with a GPS tracker in 2021, the Mackay man wore a full suit to face Mackay Magistrates court on June 26.
“At 8pm on April 12, police executed a crime scene warrant at an address in North Mackay … for an unrelated matter (and) found the defendant sleeping in an upstairs bedroom,” police prosecutor Matt Saunders said.
“He was placed under arrest for unrelated matters and a search was conducted.
“During a search of his bedroom, police located a clipseal bag containing a gram of cocaine, a vial of (steroids), and approximately 3.9 grams of cannabis in a small bottle.
“Police located three broken glass pipes and a homemade bong.”
The court heard Palmer told police the cannabis, cocaine, and pipes were his ex-partner’s but he knew they were there.
Mr Saunders and Palmer’s lawyer Sean Gibbs agreed to condense three initial charges of possessing dangerous drugs into one, and Palmer pleaded guilty to possessing drugs, drug utensils, and a hypodermic syringe.
Mr Gibbs said his client had been “upfront” and “quite honest” with police, submitting Palmer would be eligible for drug diversion programs.
Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan noted his only relevant criminal history was being charged with possessing drugs in 2021 at the time of his stalking offending.
Palmer was given a “lesser penalty” due to his co-operation, ordered to participate in Drug and Alcohol Assessment Referral (DAAR) program and sign a six month good behaviour bond with a recognisance of $1000, to be paid should he reoffend.
Convictions were recorded.
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