Tyler Jess Grant in Rockhampton court for trafficking dangerous drugs

A young Central Queensland man, who trafficked marijuana and MDMA, used bitcoin to buy his stash while brazenly leaving cash in public locations across the city. Read how it all came undone.

Tyler Jess Grant, 24.

A young Central Queensland man, who trafficked marijuana and MDMA for six months, used bitcoin to buy marijuana on the dark web and advertised drugs on Snapchat.

Tyler Jess Grant, 24, pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Supreme Court on June 1 to one count of trafficking dangerous drugs.

Grant also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing anything used in the commission of a crime defined in Part 2, and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking and possessing utensils or pipes that had been used.

Justice Graeme Crow said Grant bought drugs on the dark web and Wickr between October 31, 2021, and May 13, 2022, and had 10 regular customers.

Grant advertised drugs on Snapchat.

Justice Crow said Grant bought marijuana three times and that the drug was delivered to his home by post before he divided it into small quantities for sale.

He said Grant also used Wickr to purchase drugs from a person on three occasions, where he would leave cash at drop off points in secluded locations and later return and find the cash replaced with drugs.

He said Grant bought three pounds of marijuana for $3000 on two occasions and on May 6, 2022, told the person he would have $24,000 bagged up and ready. Confirming the next day he had completed the drop.

The court then heard on the next day Grant agreed to provide an extra $11,000 to receive 11 pounds of marijuana, however, was arrested before the cash was taken to the drop point.

Police searched Grant’s home in Emerald on May 12, 2022.

Justice Crow said police found 725g of marijuana, 3g of a mixture of marijuana and an unidentified plant, $14,130 cash, as well as digital scales, clip seal bags, a water pipe, grinder and mobile phone with messages consistent with drug trafficking.

Defence barrister Russell Pearce said his client had a drug problem and that his offending was to feed his own drug habits.

Mr Pearce said his client, who had no criminal history, was exposed to drug use from a young age and became addicted to alcohol in his teenage years. He started using illicit drugs from about 20.

He said his client now had to take prescribed marijuana to treat anxiety.

Justice Crow sentenced Grant to three years’ prison with immediate parole.