Marijuana crops, meth in wallet: Warwick drug offenders and their crimes exposed
From a man growing his own cannabis crops to fuel his medicinal habit to a nurse who got nabbed with cocaine and cannabis, these are the drug offenders who were sentenced in the Southern Downs this week.
Warwick
Don't miss out on the headlines from Warwick. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From a man growing his own cannabis crops to fuel his medicinal habit to a nurse who got nabbed with cocaine and cannabis, these are the drug offenders who were sentenced in the Southern Downs this week.
NO CONVICTIONS RECORDED
• For Steven Paul Deans, all it took was a roadside test and a mistake to end up in a court date.
The man pleaded guilty to possessing drugs and drug driving in Warwick Magistrates Court.
On the morning of October 4, 2023, Deans was busted on a motorbike at Wood St, Warwick, where a roadside drug test revealed he had methylamphetamine in his saliva, and a search by police found he was in possession of amphetamine.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Hutchins said police at the scene found 2g of a white powder hidden in his wallet.
The 49-year-old was said to suffer from mental and physical health issues such as PTSD and back pain, and “no longer uses drugs,” his defence lawyer Clare Hine told the magistrate.
Ms Hine said Deans had forgotten he had the drugs in his wallet and made full admissions to police at the scene.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess said it was a positive the man had no previous criminal history.
“You obviously have some significant medical issues and you cannot afford to throw your licence away, but having a relative drug in your saliva you always risk losing your drivers licence,” Ms Sturgess said.
Deans was fined $400 and was taken off the roads for one month.
No convictions were recorded.
• Shannon Daniel Griffin was busted following a police raid on his Allora property on October 23 of this year, and landed in front of the Warwick magistrate.
The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge each of producing dangerous drugs and possessing items used in the commission of crime on Monday.
The raid at Allora found Griffin with a small number of cannabis plants, as well as a heat lamp and fertiliser, police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Hutchins said.
Defence lawyer Clare Hine said the drugs were for medicinal use only, as the man had “serious back problems which couldn’t be fixed by medication” and the drug was the only thing that could help.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess told the man even if the drug was for self medication possessing and growing was still against the law.
The man received a $500 fine and no convictions were recorded.
• Aged care nurse Charlotte Ariel McNaught was caught on October 24, 2023, and pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, cannabis and drug utensils in Warwick Magistrates Court on November 27.
The bust came after a search warrant was activated at an address which found a “small amount” of both cocaine and cannabis, as well as a water pipe used for drug consumption.
Defence lawyer Clare Hine told the court the 30-year-old had made full admissions to police and “no prior criminal history” before coming to court this week.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess noted that the woman would be eligible for a drug diversion program, and released on a three month good behaviour reconnaissance valued at $500.
No convictions were recorded.
Aircraft, ground crews battle fast-moving grass fire west of Warwick
Rural residents west of Warwick were put on high alert Friday afternoon after a permitted burn grew out of control. Here’s the latest.
‘Huge asset’: Fallout continues after council CEO axed during livestream
A councillor has weighed in on why he voted to save the ‘professional and hardworking’ chief executive of a regional Queensland council who was sacked during a live-streamed meeting. LATEST.