David Roemermann pleads guilty to producing marijuana at Coolabine property
A tactical police raid on a Sunshine Coast hinterland property has revealed a former tour guide’s clandestine grow operation, along with more than three kilograms of marijuana.
Police & Courts
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A Kenilworth man has been found with more than three kilos of drugs after a police raid on his hinterland property found his secret grow operation.
The Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad executed a search warrant at David Charles Roemermann’s Coolabine home where they uncovered the clandestine drug operation.
Details of their raid were heard in Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week after the 46-year-old pleaded guilty to producing dangerous drugs, possessing drugs over the schedule and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.
Police prosecutor Mel Pyke said detectives from the specialist crime squad executed the warrant about 9.30am on July 17 at the hinterland property where Roemermann lived.
Sergeant Pyke said upon arrival police found three large garbage bags, a plastic tub filled with clip seal bags and a jar, all containing marijuana.
She said the total weight of the drugs found was 3.122kg.
Behind a shed at the address, officers discovered a greenhouse which had nine plants inside, about 50cm in height, growing under a heat lamp. Six more plants were also found further down the property.
The court heard the 46-year-old had been growing marijuana from April 1 to July 17 however no commerciality was alleged.
The police prosecutor said Roemermann was interviewed by officers on July 20 where he said the plants and the harvested cannabis found were his.
He told police he was going to freeze the drugs for personal use over the next six months as he had a medical condition.
Roemermann said he self medicated with marijuana as he did not like the effects of opioids.
Duty lawyer Katie Paterson told the court Roemermann was diagnosed with a degenerative spine disease which could potentially result in him ending up in a wheelchair.
Ms Paterson said the Kenilworth man was unable to get a prescription for marijuana due to his mental health condition.
The court heard the 46-year-old previously worked as a tour guide for decades on Moreton Island and K’Gari, but had lost his job due to his offending. He now worked as a compost farmer.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan read out parts of Roemermann’s criminal history which included sentences for drug production, and said the Kenilworth man was not being deterred.
Roemermann was jailed for nine months, suspended immediately for 18 months.
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