NAMED: Convicted drug dealers brought to justice in the Burnett region
There were more than 1300 drug offences recorded in the Burnett region in the past year, and taking a dealer off the streets is a big win for our police. Here are the meth dealers busted in Murgon, Blackbutt and Mundubbera.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In the past 12 months, more than 1200 drug offences have been committed and reported in the South Burnett, as reported by Queensland crime statistics.
The links between drug use, crime and violence have contributed to societal challenges and weighed down the judicial system.
The actions of drug dealers facilitate and perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse, and worsen societal repercussions.
Here are the drug dealers caught supplying methamphetamine in Blackbutt, Murgon and Mundubbera in the past year.
‘Meth queen’ Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross
A Mundubbera mum avoided jail time when she was sentenced for trafficking drugs in the Burnett to at least 40 regular clients.
Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross pleaded guilty in the Bundaberg Supreme Court in February 2023 to four charges, including drug trafficking and theft.
The court heard the 30-year-old had a three-page criminal history, and spent 14 months dealing drugs in her hometown of Mundubbera between 2020 and 2021, where she had more than 40 regular clients.
Police found digital scales, a glass pipe, clip seal bags, a mobile phone and a reportedly stolen rental car at her home.
Justice Graeme Crow said Cross’ true revenue during this period was difficult to calculate, however police estimated more than $100,000 was turned over for her “predominantly street level” activities.
Cross also claimed more than $60,000 a year from Centrelink as a sole parent.
For the charge of trafficking Cross was sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended, and conviction recorded. She was not further punished on the remaining three charges.
Sian Patricia Ellen Newberry
A Blackbutt mother of four was sentenced in the Kingaroy District Court in April 2023 after a police raid revealed her low-level drug dealing operation.
Sian Patricia Ellen Newberry, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawfully supplying dangerous drugs, one count of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of possessing dangerous drugs.
The court heard Newberry supplied 0.2g of methamphetamines and a total of 27g of cannabis in November 2021, March 2022 and April 2022.
Judge Nicole Kefford took Newberry’s early plea into consideration.
“The admissions go further than what police found and your co-operation with police is a matter I take into account in your favour,” Ms Kefford said.
“Drugs cause so many problems in our community, those who supply it facilitate the difficulties that are caused in society.”
Newberry was sentenced to 18 months’ prison with immediate parole.
Convictions were recorded.
Carl Andrew Bradford
A Murgon drug addict was sentenced at the Kingaroy District Court in April 2023 for supplying methamphetamines to customers in the South Burnett.
Carl Andrew Bradford, 47, pleaded guilty to seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, one count of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of possessing an item used in connection with supplying a dangerous drug.
Crown prosecutor Darcy Evans said Bradford’s criminal history was indicative of someone who had been a drug user.
“The defendant was identified through a police operation where his phone revealed he had committed the offences,” Mr Evans said.
The court heard Bradford supplied the drugs to three customers between November 8, 2020 and November 10, 2020.
“He had offered to supply methamphetamines and MDMA,” Mr Evans said.
Bradford was sentenced to 21 months’ prison with immediate parole.
Convictions were recorded.
District Court sittings at Maryborough, October 3
Here is a list of District Court sittings at Maryborough on October 3
Man suffers ‘significant’ injuries in bike crash
A man has been taken to Bundaberg Hospital after a car and his motorbike collided on the Bruce Highway.