Dr Ian Housego, 47, is charged with producing marijuana at a Struck Oil property

A doctor who turned his home into a sophisticated marijuana-producing operation for ‘medical research’ three years ago is back before the courts for allegedly producing dangerous drugs, but this time it’s more serious. FULL DETAILS HERE.

Dr Ian Housego.

A Gracemere doctor who turned his home into a sophisticated marijuana-producing operation for medical research three years ago is back before the courts for the same offence at a different location, but this time it’s more serious.

Dr Ian Housego, 47, was sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court in 2019 for a marijuana production operation which included 18 plants, 80 seedlings varying in height, and equipment.

Dr Ian Housego, 47, is charged with one count of producing a dangerous drug (marijuana) exceeding 500g or more than 100 plants, two of possessing items used the commission of a crime, one of possessing dangerous drugs and one of failing to properly dispose of a needle or syringe.

He was back before the court Wednesday, March 9, wanting to plead guilty to eight drug charges including one count of producing a dangerous drug (marijuana) exceeding 500g or more than 100 plants, two of possessing items used the commission of a crime, one of possessing dangerous drugs and one of failing to properly dispose of a needle or syringe.

However, before Dr Housego entered his pleas, police prosecutor Jennifer Leech told the court that due to the quantity in the production charge, this matter would need to be dealt with in a higher court.

Magistrate Cameron Press agreed this might need to go to a higher court, if that was what police prosecution elected.

He said the allegations involved eight marijuana plants.

Dr Ian Housego, 47, is charged with one count of producing a dangerous drug (marijuana) exceeding 500g or more than 100 plants, two of possessing items used the commission of a crime, one of possessing dangerous drugs and one of failing to properly dispose of a needle or syringe.

Court documents stated the production, which allegedly took place between April 1, 2021, and February 7, 2022, was found at a Archer Road, Struck Oil, property.

The documents outlined the items related to the two possessing items used in the commission of a crime allegedly included a chainsaw, irrigation fittings, zip ties, a water pump, fuel containers, an auger, green houses, water tanks, garden tools and fertiliser.

The Coffs Harbour-born Gracemere resident was also allegedly busted possessing marijuana in Angela Court, Gracemere, and possessing some of the above items while he was situated on Broadhurst Drive, Gracemere.

The matters were adjourned until March 30.