Drug trafficker Darren Steven Burnell jailed for supplying meth, marijuana

A previously convicted drug trafficker who tried to flee police on a motorcycle, crashed into a car and tried to outrun officers before being tackled has now been busted supplying drugs during a major police operation.

A previously convicted drug trafficker who tried to flee police on a motorcycle, crashed into a car and tried to outrun officers before being tackled has now been busted supplying drugs during a major police operation.

Darren Steven Burnell, 45, fronted the Supreme Court in Rockhampton for breaching his suspended sentence for trafficking handed down in May 2022 having committed five counts of supplying drugs, two of possessing drugs and one of possessing anything used in a drug crime.

Justice Graeme Crow said Burnell’s latest offences were detected during the police operation which targeted two particular people accused of drug trafficking in Central Queensland.

He said Burnell’s supplies from this offending period were “relatively small supplies” of methamphetamines and marijuana.

When police searched his Park Avenue residence on September 7, 2023, they found Burnell in possession of 0.692 grams of meth, testosterone, mobile phones, digital scales and clip seal bags.

Justice Crow said Burnell didn’t answer questions at the scene, smashed one of the mobile phones and said he had not used steroids in years.

Burnell was arrested and remanded in custody.

His six-page criminal history included a three-year prison term for grievous bodily harm and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle for which he was released from prison in 2010.

Justice Crow said to Burnell’s credit, he had a 10-year gap in offending before his drug trafficking started.

The court heard Burnell had been exposed to domestic violence and alcoholism in his childhood and became homeless at age 14.

He had sole custody of his daughter since she was born and was the stepfather to his de facto partner’s child.

Burnell had worked as a haul operator for six years and his goal was to relocate from Rockhampton when released to get away from drug contacts.

Burnell pleaded guilty to all eight charges and was sentenced to 525 days prison, had the remaining three years of his 2022 suspended sentence activated to serve concurrently, 525 days presentence custody was declared as time served and he was released immediately on parole.

He has outstanding matters in the magistrates court expected to be finalised on February 14 before he can be released from custody of Queensland Corrective Services.