CAUGHT OUT: Dad busted trying to grow own drug supply

The home-grown crop was far from the only drug charge landing this Southern Downs man in court.

BUDDING SUPPLY: This Southern Downs dad was busted trying to grow his own marijuana crop. Picture: QPS

A POLICE raid foiled this Southern Downs dad's attempt to grow his own drugs, but it didn't prevent him from racking up a number of additional drug charges.

Police found a number of pots with freshly planted seeds stored under warming lights in a new greenhouse when they raided Shaun David Cooper's Clifton address on June 29.

The Warwick Magistrates Court heard the search also uncovered a small quantity of marijuana, a bong, and an electric grinder inside the house.

Police prosecutor Ken Wiggan said the 41-year-old was caught only weeks earlier driving through Toowomba while unlicensed and with methamphetamines in his system.

Sgt Wiggan added the father of two told police he got behind the wheel to buy Ventolin, though was unable to prove the situation was a genuine emergency.

Cooper again ran into trouble on July 1 when he was busted carrying another grinder with remnants of marijuana in Haigslea.

Defence lawyer Clare Hine stressed it had been years since her client's last drug offence, though he still had significant criminal and traffic records.

Magistrate Julian Noud chastised the father of two for his conduct, which he said jeopardised not only his own family, but the safety of any number of road users.

Cooper pleaded guilty to two counts each of possessing a dangerous drug and drug utensils.

The 41-year-old also pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing items connected to a drug offence, drug driving, and unlicensed driving as a repeat offender.

He was fined $1250 and disqualified from driving for 11 months.

 

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