Campbell Patrick Munro and Max Edward Webster plead guilty to drug possession

A magistrate has questioned how a man knew the substance he found on the ground during a night out in Noosa was cocaine after sharing his surprise haul with a stranger.

Two men who police found with white lines on a mobile phone outside the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club have pleaded guilty to one count each of drug possession.

Campbell Patrick Munro, 52, of Noosaville and Max Edward Webster, 20, of Peregian Springs faced Noosa Magistrates Court on July 26, 2022.

Police prosecutor Alison Johnstone said police were patrolling Hastings St and the surf club car park when they saw two men sitting on a picnic table about 12.10am on July 10, 2022.

She said police noticed one man had rolled up a bank note and the other appeared to use a plastic card to move a white substance around the table.

Sergeant Johnstone said police yelled for the pair to stop and when they approached they saw two lines of a substance on a mobile phone between the pair.

She said Munro told police he found the bag on the surf club steps after it dropped out of a woman’s bag and invited Webster – who he did not know before that night – for a line.

The police prosecutor said when they were asked by police what the substance was, they told police it was cocaine.

Max Edward Webster, 20, of Peregian Springs outside the Noosa Courthouse.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist asked how the defendants knew it was cocaine if it fell out of someone’s bag.

“A shady guess perhaps,” Sergeant Johnstone replied.

Solicitor Neesha Maidwell said Munro, who owns a consultancy business, regretted the offending.

She said a good behaviour bond and no conviction recorded would be appropriate.

The solicitor said Munro had no criminal history and it was a small amount of drugs.

“It’s opportunistic offending,” Ms Maidwell said.

Magistrate Stjernqvist said Munro had found the drugs on the ground.

“It could’ve been OMO,” he said.

Magistrate Stjernqvist ordered Munro to enter into a recognisance of $900 and a 12-month good behaviour bond.

Webster received a recognisance of $600 and a six-month good behaviour bond.

No convictions were recorded for either defendant.