John Lewis Sr, John Lewis Jr plead guilty to dealing marijuana from Wurtulla home
Two drug merchants ran a trafficking business out of their Sunshine Coast home, with an outdoor fridge becoming central to the suburban operation.
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An outdoor fridge has served as a pivotal part of a Sunshine Coast father and son’s drug dealing operation.
At the height of their enterprise, John Thomas Lewis Sr, 55, and John Thomas Lewis Jr, 30, supplied marijuana to multiple customers for more than a year from their home in Wurtulla.
Maroochydore District Court heard on Thursday the inner workings of their business after Lewis Sr pleaded guilty to five charges including trafficking in dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs of 500g and possessing a thing used in connection with the trafficking of a dangerous drug.
Lewis Jr then pleaded guilty to five charges including trafficking in dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs of 500g and using a carriage service to send indecent communication to a person under 16.
Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the family team would source a pound, about 450g, of cannabis at a time for between $2900 and $3200, splitting the costs and effectively doubling the money invested by dealing.
Mr Stark said the men would use codes with their customers to avoid detection, supplied on credit and spoke about their marijuana’s quality.
The court heard at their height, Lewis Jr trafficked to 11 regular customers for a 17-month period between June 2021 and November 2022.
Lewis Sr meanwhile conducted his side of the business for 14 months to 12 regular customers between September 2021 and November 2022.
The Crown prosecutor said Lewis Sr and Lewis Jr would use an outdoor fridge at their Wurtulla home to act as a collection point for their customers, with the men selling anywhere from a “quarter ounce” or about seven grams to an “ounce”, about 28g, at a time.
Their suburban drug trade fell into a heap following an investigation by police, with their drug dealing messages uncovered.
Commonwealth prosecutor Grace Corcoran said Lewis Jr’s child sex offence came to light in the investigation into their drug dealing.
The court heard the 30-year-old sent an unsolicited photo of his penis to a 13-year-old girl, who told the landscaper she hated the fact he sent it.
Judge Michael Byrne said Lewis Jr didn’t desist after this and tried to justify his actions the next day.
Defence barrister Scott Neaves, acting for Lewis Sr, said the 55-year-old was not a drug dealer “on the street corner” making huge profits, but rather supplied cannabis to sustain his own habit.
The court heard the father had health issues and trafficked drugs to those he knew with pain issues.
Mr Neaves said Lewis Sr cared for his elderly mother who suffered from dementia, and was worried how she would fare without him if he went into custody.
Lewis Jr’s barrister, Rob Glenday, said the 30-year-old had abstained from using drugs since his arrest 17 months ago, which was significant since he previously used marijuana for 10 years prior for anxiety and pain relief.
Mr Glenday said Lewis Jr fell into drug dealing due to financial stress due to patchy work as a landscaper.
His barrister said the Wurtulla son didn’t live a lavish lifestyle from their operation and only supplied to his mates.
Judge Michael Byrne jailed Lewis Jr for two years and nine months while Lewis Sr was jailed for two and a half years. Both men were given immediate parole.
Convictions were recorded.
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