Eisha Serena Cull, Samuel McNeill in Maroochydore court after raid

The parents of four children have faced court following a major raid that uncovered cocaine and cannabis in the Noosa hinterland. Read what happened in court.

A dad-of-four will be sentenced in the District Court after pleading guilty to several drugs and firearms charges following a hinterland raid.

Samuel McNeill, 36, of Doonan appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday, October 6.

On August 22, 2022, police raided a home in Doonan that McNeill shared with Eisha Serena Cull, a co-accused and the mother of his children.

Court documents state police found about 60g of white powder and 41 cannabis plants in a sophisticated hydroponic set-up that included heat lamps, fertiliser, pots, electrical cabling and irrigation.

Police also found drug utensils throughout the property and guns.

McNeill pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing and producing cocaine; possessing equipment used to produce cannabis; possessing cannabis; possessing pipes, scales and a clip seal bag used in the commission of a drug offence; permitting a use of place to be used for the production of a dangerous drug; possessing two pistols unlawfully and possessing a pump-action shotgun unlawfully.

Samuel McNeill outside the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin granted McNeill bail and said he would be sentenced in the District Court at a later date.

McNeill, a kitchen cabinet installer, has also been charged with three counts of possessing explosives.

He pleaded guilty and those matters were adjourned until March 15, 2024 in the Magistrates Court.

Cull, 35, of Valdora pleaded guilty to permitting the use of a place for producing and possessing a dangerous drug.

Senior prosecutor Erica Zammit said Cull and McNeill, who have four children together, were at home on Duke Rd when police started searching about 2pm.

There were also five workmen on the property, and although Cull said there was no one else there apart from the workmen, police soon found McNeill.

Eisha Serena Cull outside the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

“After a few minutes, it became clear that there was a person in the main bedroom and police entered the main bedroom and restrained McNeill,” Ms Zammit said.

Lawyer Ben Rynderman said it was important to note Cull was not charged with producing or possessing any of the drugs.

“She was aware of the nefarious activities taking place on the premises but took no part therein,” he said.

The lawyer said Cull was a hairdresser and bookkeeper who looked after her father, who has dementia.

Mr McLaughlin fined Cull $1000 and no conviction was recorded.