Ryan Dennehy Elliott sentenced for drug trafficking

One of three men busted selling cannabis “by the pound” in a trafficking business at the Sunshine Coast has learnt his fate in court. Read what happened.

Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

One of the three men charged with running a wholesale drug trafficking business has learnt his fate in a Sunshine Coast court on Monday.

Ryan Dennehy Elliott, 29, appeared in the Maroochydore District Court on Monday, December 4, where he was sentenced for drug trafficking and possessing items used in drug trafficking.

The court was told Elliott had pleaded guilty to the two charges on November, 10.

His co-offenders, Zach-Matthew Sam Steadman and Dennis Michael Barrett, also pleaded guilty to a number charges involved in the drug trafficking.

Steadman pleaded guilty to a total of five charges, including trafficking, possessing and supplying a dangerous drug between January and December 2021, as well as possessing a mobile phone used for the trafficking as well as money from the offences.

The third man, Barrett, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to drug trafficking between January and December 2021.

Barrett also pleaded guilty to an additional charge brought by Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks of possessing more than 500g of cannabis in September 2021 in Caboolture.

Crown prosecutor Rhys Byrne told the court Elliott began trafficking cannabis while on bail for trafficking cocaine.

“Mr Elliott was engaged in a wholesale cannabis business with two men, Zach Steadman and Dennis Barrett, they’ve not yet been dealt with,” Mr Byrne said.

“Mr Steadman and Barrett were operating the business for longer, having starting in about January 2021, telephone intercepts indicate Mr Elliott came in around the end of August or the start of September 2021.”

Mr Byrne told the court the trio sold and bought the cannabis “by the pound”.

“Mr Elliott was involved in selling cannabis by the pound, he pooled money with the other two so as to source cannabis,” Mr Byrne said.

The court was told on one occasion the 29-year-old, along with the other two men, bought 10 pounds of cannabis, with Elliott contributing $16,000.

Defence barrister Damian Walsh told the court Elliott had “obvious” drug problems before he was taken into custody but had shown signs of positive rehabilitation.

Mr Walsh told the court Elliott was glad to have the “opportunity to start again”.

“He accepts full responsibility for his offending conduct and expressed appropriate regret, shame and remorse,” Mr Walsh said.

District Court judge Glen Cash told the court it appeared Elliott only really began to abuse drugs in 2019 and quickly became addicted, adding there were positive signs of rehabilitation.

“You deserve much credit for the steps you have been able to take towards your rehabilitation,” Mr Cash said.

Mr Cash sentenced Elliott to 18 months’ behind bars and ordered he be eligible for parole in April 4, 2024.