Two Southern Downs fathers plead guilty in Stanthorpe Magistrates Court to producing cannabis

The Granite Belt region’s cool climate can grow more than fruit and vegetables, with Stanthorpe Magistrates Court told that police caught two men producing cannabis at their homes. DETAILS.

A 41-year-old man and a 53-year-old man pleaded guilty in Stanthorpe Magistrates Court to growing weed at their Granite Belt homes. Photo: File

Stanthorpe’s cold climate has produced more than just fruit and vegetables, with police locating the production of cannabis at two separate properties in the region.

Two men, who were found to be separately producing an illicit substance at their homes, appeared before Stanthorpe Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The court was told how a 53-year-old man was found to be growing cannabis in his laundry at a property in Wallangarra, admitting to police he was producing the illicit substance for his own personal use.

GEOFFREY MARTIN CARLSON

Geoffrey Martin Carlson pleaded guilty to one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils and possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Bartholomeusz told the court officers conducted a search of Carlson’s property on August 22, where he was found to be producing a cannabis plant inside his laundry.

During the search police also located grow tent pots, an electric transformer and other utensils that were being used as part of the production, as well as cannabis seeds inside Carlson’s bedroom.

Senior Constable Bartholomeusz said Carlson admitted to police during the search the items were for his own personal use and had volunteered their location.

The court was told of the father-of-two’s troubled history with alcohol abuse, who then turned to cannabis as a coping mechanism.

Duty lawyer Phillip Crook said his client was also suffering from heart disease, and with the news of a loved one’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

Mr Crook told the court his client had made an appointment with a GP to inquire about taking part in the medicinal cannabis program.

Magistrate Janice Crawford took into consideration Carlson’s personal circumstances, and he was fined $750. A conviction was recorded.

RICKY GEORGE JUXON

Father-of-three Ricky George Juxon, pleaded guilty to one count of producing dangerous drugs after a search warrant located 11 cannabis plants at the back of his property in Dalcouth.

Senior Constable Bartholomeusz told the court when police searched the Dalcouth property, they uncovered the 11 cannabis plants growing in garden pots in bushland at the back of the property, with some reportedly reaching up to 30cm in height.

The court was told how the 41-year-old had overcome an addiction to meth and was using cannabis to help him stay off it, having only recently started growing the plants for his personal use.

Mr Crook told the court Juxon, a father-of-three, was a primary carer who was looking to establish his own landscaping business in the future.

Ms Crawford acknowledged Juxon’s personal circumstances, and he was fined $750. A conviction was recorded.