Mirinda Gloria Fogarty found with almost $3k and 100g of cannabis charged for selling drugs, including to sons

A police raid on a Warwick mother’s home found her in possession of thousands of dollars and a quantity of cannabis, but a search of her phone uncovered further offending behaviour.

A Warwick mother found with almost $3000 in cash and 100g of cannabis has faced court after she was discovered to be selling drugs in the community.

Following a police raid at her home Mirinda Gloria Fogarty was discovered to be supplying cannabis to various members of the Warwick community, including members of her own family, between July 1 and July 22, 2022.

Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear told Toowoomba Magistrates Court that on July 22, 2022, Warwick detectives found drug paraphernalia and 100g of cannabis at Fogarty’s home.

At the end of the search, detectives found Fogarty counting a large amount of money, which she claimed were proceeds from both cannabis sales and cash-in-hand work.

Police determined $2815 was gained as a result of selling the illicit drug.

Toowoomba Courthouse in Hume St

Evidence was located on a phone showing communication and sales of cannabis to members of the Warwick community, including two of Fogarty’s sons.

On December 5, Fogarty pleaded guilty to eight charges, including four counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and one count of each of possessing utensils, possessing anything used in the commission of crime, possessing dangerous drugs and possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, at the Toowoomba court.

The 49-year-old’s solicitor Jag MacDonald of MacDonald Law told the court his client had an unblemished criminal history, and had made unfortunate decisions after her partner was imprisoned.

“These are serious matters, but it is out of character,” he said.

The court was told Fogarty was studying for a Certificate III in disability support with the hopes of becoming employed in the industry, however Mr MacDonald said a conviction would impact that dream.

Magistrate Louise Shephard understood a conviction would be damaging to Fogarty and said while selling cannabis was a serious offence, it was a low level example with two buyers being family members, and with consideration of Fogarty’s clean criminal history.

Fogarty was given 18 months probation, with a forfeiture of all items seized, and no conviction recorded.

Originally published as Mirinda Gloria Fogarty found with almost $3k and 100g of cannabis charged for selling drugs, including to sons