Kodi Mark Saunders pleads guilty to cocaine possession following drug raid

A man has found himself wrapped up in a major drug operation after he was discovered contacting the alleged “targets” to buy drugs.

Kodi Mark Saunders outside court after a previous mention last year. Picture: Sam Turner

A Sippy Downs man has had his cocaine stash uncovered by police in a search warrant during a major drug operation.

Kodi Mark Saunders found himself entangled in the major investigation when his phone number was picked up during telephone intercepts with the alleged heads of a drug syndicate, Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

The 29-year-old was at his former home at Wurtulla on May 21 when detectives raided his home about 5.30am with a warrant.

Police prosecutor Richard Higham said they found Saunders in his bedroom who told police he had cocaine to declare.

Officers also seized his Apple iPhone which he provided the PIN number to, as they claimed it was used to obtain drugs.

Saunders was taken to the Maroochydore watch-house and charged with possessing cocaine over the schedule and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

In court on Thursday, however, he pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of possessing dangerous drugs with the schedule offence withdrawn following scientific analysis of the powder. He also pleaded guilty to the phone charge.

Saunders pleaded guilty to both charges. Picture: Sam Turner

Defence solicitor Robert Butler said the Sippy Downs man came to the attention of police as a result of a drug operation after buying cocaine from the alleged “targets”.

Mr Butler said a warrant was obtained for telephone intercepts, with the 29-year-old’s phone number picked up through these investigations by police.

The solicitor told the court the purchase for personal use with there being no other suggestion before the court but the amount was “too high” for the 29-year-old to be given a drug diversion.

He said Saunders’ circumstances had changed since last year which included moving from Wurtulla to Sippy Downs and being in a relationship.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said the 29-year-old was “hanging around the wrong people” and how he had to demonstrate a more “determined approach” to fix his drug use.

He placed Saunders on a 12-month probation order with no conviction recorded. The 29-year-old’s phone was also forfeited.