Fish farmer Douglas Shaun Lamberth in Maroochydore court for growing weed

Police uncovered large amounts of drugs in a shipping container and caravan on a Sunshine Coast property, but the defence says it was all for a good cause. Here’s what happened in court.

Douglas Shaun Lamberth leaves Maroochydore District Court.

A former soldier was caught growing more than 250 marijuana plants in different locations on his Beerburrum property, and was harvesting the plant to share with friends and make into food items.

Police raided Douglas Shaun Lamberth’s property on February 16 and found 3.9kg of dried marijuana stored in glass jars and clip seal bags, and hanging up to dry in a caravan.

Crown prosecutor Elle Bolam told Maroochydore District Court police also found marijuana butter and brownies inside a freezer in the kitchen.

They then discovered 152 marijuana plants growing inside a shipping container behind the 61-year-old’s house.

Ms Bolam said half of the plants were 1m tall and half were seedlings, and said the marijuana was for personal use.

“There is no evidence he produced it for commercial gain,” she said.

Police also located 100 cannabis plants growing in four spots in bushland surrounding the property.

A total of 252 plants were found, with a total weight of 46kg including the dried marijuana.

Lamberth arrived at the property during the search and declined to make any comment.

Douglas Shaun Lamberth leaves Maroochydore District Court.

Defence barrister Simon Lewis said his client had an auto-immune disease, chronic back pain and insomnia, which is why he consumed marijuana brownies and cookies.

“The quantity of cannabis is because he was experimenting with growing different strains of the drug,” Mr Lewis said.

“It is clear from the material that my client has assisted people with certain medical difficulties, such as people with cancer, with access to cannabis.”

Mr Lewis said his client had been in a long-term relationship for the past 25 years.

He added he had a strong employment history and served in the army for six years, working in engineering and explosive detection, and now worked a shopfitter and owned a fish farm.

Lamberth pleaded guilty to producing dangerous drugs in excess of 500g.

He was sentenced to 240 hours of community service to be completed within a year, and no conviction recorded.