Ryan Mark Horder sentenced after selling police officer ‘low quality’ cocaine, advertising drugs online

A North Queensland man who was busted selling “low quality” cocaine to a cop for $350 with a $10 delivery fee, tried to convince them he wasn’t a dealer.

A North Queensland man who was busted selling “low quality” cocaine to a police officer tried to convince cops he wasn’t a dealer.

Townsville Supreme Court heard that Ryan Mark Horder, 24, charged the officer $350 for 1.051g of substance – of which only 0.051g was cocaine – with a purity of 4.9 per cent.

He also charged a delivery fee of $10 to cover his fuel expense.

Crown prosecutor Grace Ollason said over 29 days between June and July 2021, Horder used the photo and video sharing application, Snapchat, to advertise cocaine and cannabis.

Ms Ollason said Horder would sell cocaine in amounts from half a gram to a full gram, but had also advertised a “ball” amount of 3.5g.

Ryan Mark Horder, 24, was sentenced in Townsville Supreme Court after selling cocaine to a police officer.

“Despite the low purity (of the drugs) he would boast about the quality of the drug advertised, and had told the officer the cocaine ‘goes hard’,” Ms Ollason said.

Horder’s unit was searched by police on June 10, 2021, where police found a clipseal bag with a very small amount of cannabis, digital scales, water pipes, and clipseal bags.

When questioned by police, Horder tried to shirk off his involvement in the sales.

“While (Horder) was forthright in declaring drug related items, he denied any involvement in supplying dangerous drugs, including denying that the (Snapchat account) belonged to him,” Ms Ollason said.

Horder pleaded guilty to charges including three counts of supplying a dangerous drug, one count of trafficking a dangerous drug.

Defence barrister Dane Marley said his client had not reoffended since, and had “embarked on a significant course of rehabilitation”.

He said Horder had started selling drugs to pay off his own debts.

“He took the easy way out, selling drugs to pay off those suppliers,” Mr Marley said.

“He now significantly regrets and fully appreciates the criminality of what he did.”

It was heard Horder now lived and worked in Mackay, was completing an apprenticeship, and was drug-free.

Horder was sentenced to three years jail, with immediate parole.

“Remember young man, the police know you, and they may watch you,” Justice North said.

Originally published as Ryan Mark Horder sentenced after selling police officer ‘low quality’ cocaine, advertising drugs online