Rockhampton drug addict Barry Roy Richardson, 50, provided meth to undercover police twice

A convicted drug supplier has been busted again after selling meth to undercover police officers twice. Here’s what happened in court.

A convicted drug supplier once busted with $25,690 cash has gone on to supply methamphetamines to undercover police officers twice.

Barry Roy Richardson, 50, pleaded guilty on August 5 in Rockhampton District Court to two counts of supplying a dangerous drug, along with one of illegally possessing explosives, two of possessing dangerous drugs, one of possessing anything used in a crime, one count of possessing property suspected the proceeds of drugs and one count of possessing property used in a drug crime.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Barker said Richardson’s nine-page Queensland criminal record included convictions in 2015 for supplying drugs and possessing $25,690 cash hidden under his bed when police raided his residence, along with crystal methamphetamines and marijuana.

Barry Roy Richardson, 50.

Ms Barker said the latest offending involved Richardson supplying 0.72 grams of pure meth in 1.678g of substance for $650 to an undercover police officer on May 7, 2020, and 0.731g of pure meth in 1.709g of substance for $700 to an undercover police officer on May 26, 2020.

She said police searched Richardson’s residence on July 7, 2020 and located scales, a mobile phone, 0.3g of MDMA, 0.4g methamphetamines, $525 cash and some ammunition.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client had been in a defacto relationship with his partner, with whom he has a 25 year old child, for 34 years and she was in court in his support during sentencing.

She said he grew up with his four siblings and step siblings in Mount Morgan and worked in scrap metal, mines and quarries.

Ms Marsden said before his sentencing, Richardson worked in scaffolding.

She said his criminal record showed “he clearly has a drug problem”.

Ms Marsden said Richardson initially started off using marijuana and only moved on to meth in the past 10 years.

She said her client claimed he was now drug free but did not have any evidence to provide to the court.

Ms Barker said Richardson’s criminal record showed he was non-compliant on probation orders.

Judge Jeff Clarke said his prior sentences of prison terms had not deterred him from reoffending.

He sentenced Richardson to 21 months prison with parole release on February 6, 2023.