Matthew Jozef Stonehouse sentenced for possessing dangerous drugs, multiple guns

An animal conservation warrior has been hauled before the courts after cops uncovered a shipping container and caravan housing magic mushrooms, marijuana and multiple guns on his South Burnett property.

An animal conservation warrior has been hauled before the courts after a police raid uncovered magic mushrooms, marijuana and multiple guns on his South Burnett property.

Police raided Matthew Jozef Stonehouse’s Taromeo property on April 16, finding a large shipping container and caravan filled with an array of illegal items, Kingaroy Magistrates Court was told.

Two marijuana plants were growing in a small fenced-off area beside the caravan, which was also found to contain a stack of illegal weapons including a bolt action shotgun, a bolt-action centre-fire rifle, an air rifle, a bolt-action rim-fire rifle with a silencer attached, and a large box of ammunition.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Lisa Manns said officers also found two sets of electric scales and a tin of gunpowder inside the vehicle.

A shipping container on the property housed a variety of illicit drugs including five grams of dried magic mushrooms inside a glass jar, and another 294 grams sealed in four cryovac bags.

Police also found several glass jars containing a total 352 grams of marijuana.

Lawyer Brendan Whelan said his client studied conservation in Bolivia and spent three years creating a non-profit organisation protecting wildlife in the environment.

He returned to Australia to start a tour company where he could assist people who wished to travel to Bolivia, and volunteer in the animal refuge.

Mr Whelan said the 35-year-old intended to apply for a weapons licence to control wild animals on his property, however was unable to obtain it before police searched the property.

Stonehouse pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing category A, B and H weapons, producing and possessing dangerous drugs, possessing explosives, and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

He was fined $1500 and no conviction was recorded.