Anthony Michael Douglas Rose caught with drugs on Capricorn Highway

A former Rockhampton businessman was busted with more than two kilograms of drugs on a Central Queensland highway.

A man busted with more than two kilograms of drugs on a Central Queensland highway was wearing bikie colours, but claims he is not a club member.

Anthony Michael Douglas Rose, 41, was intercepted driving on the Capricorn Highway, west of Duaringa, about 1pm on May 20 with 2.27 kilograms of marijuana in cryovac bags in the boot of his car.

He was wearing Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang colours and initials on his belt.

Rose pleaded guilty on November 5 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count each of possessing a dangerous drug in excess of two grams, wearing a prohibited item in public, failing to comply with police direction to provide pin code to access electronic device information, possessing a dangerous drug, possessing drug utensils and two breaches of bail.

Rose has not yet entered a plea for a drug driving offence from the day of the intercept; it was adjourned for a work licence application to be prepared.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said police intercepted Rose west of Duaringa about 1pm on May 20 and after observing he and his female passenger, police asked Rose to do a drug test.

Police then searched the vehicle and found a cigarette packet in a footwell which contained marijuana.

They also located three cryovac bags of marijuana inside a green duffel bag, plus two sandwich bags of marijuana inside another cryovac bag.

Rose’s fingerprints were on the bags, which contained a total of 2.27 kilograms of marijuana.

Mr Fox said police did not allege Rose was involved in selling the drugs for profit.

He said Rose was wearing a belt which had the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang colours and initials on it.

Magistrate Cameron Press asked what Rose was doing at Duaringa which was more than 100kms from his Wandal residence.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said his client was visiting a friend in Blackwater.

“He acquired it (marijuana) on that same trip with intent to extract oil from it,” he said.

Police executed a search warrant on Rose’s residence on June 24, locating his iPhone for which he refused to provide access codes despite a magistrate’s order.

Mr Fox said the Rebels’ gang label was also on the phone.

Police also found a sandwich bag containing 8.8g of marijuana plus 1.8g of loose marijuana.

Six capsules containing a green liquid, which Rose confirmed was marijuana oil, were also found.

Rose told police he had recently obtained a prescription for medical marijuana but had not yet filled it.

A homemade bong was also located at Rose’s residence.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client was suffering from yet to be diagnosis mental health issues suspected to stem from childhood trauma as both of his parents were violent and all family members spent time in hospitals due to the violence.

He said Rose lived in various youth shelters as a teen, leaving school age 13, and spent a year doing a baker’s apprenticeship before moving on to odd jobs and eventually working at the meatworks when he was 17.

Mr Ahlstrand said Rose worked at the meatworks for 10 years and after being made redundant, he operated his own business called Chop Up Shop where he would purchase vehicles, fix them up and sell them.

He said Rose was particularly interested in Harley Davidsons and it was through this business Rose became acquainted with Rebels members.

Mr Ahlstrand said Rose’s marriage then broke down, he closed his business and he now builds sheds for Truespan Buildings.

He said Rose was in a new relationship and his partner was a positive influence on him.

He said Rose had used marijuana for a long time (25 years) and now had a prescription for medicinal marijuana along with two antipsychotic medications from his general practitioner, along with two referrals to see psychiatrists for a diagnosis and plan.

Mr Press questioned this, stating that from his experience on the mental health tribunal, marijuana often contributed to psychosis.

He said he was “somewhat perplexed” Rose had been prescribed marijuana and antipsychotics, before any official diagnosis.

He said the documents handed to him by Mr Ahlstrand suggested Rose had insomnia and anger issues.

“There’s no suggestion of psychosis there,” Mr Press said.

He said the doctor had asked in the referrals for the psychiatrists to investigate if Rose had bipolar, psychosis or schizophrenia.

“Logic says you prescribe these antipsychotic drugs once diagnosed,” Mr Press said.

“Something doesn’t gel there.”

Mr Ahlstrand said his client was simply following medical advice.

He added Rose claimed he was not a member of the Rebels club, but was in contact with some members.

Rose had no criminal or traffic history before these offences.

Mr Press sentenced Rose to 12 months prison wholly suspended and operational for two years and six months, along with fines totalling $950.