Logan man Ian Richard Rolfe in court over $200K NT drug trafficking case

A Logan man has faced court for his involvement as the “bag man” in trafficking $200,000 worth of cannabis into the Northern Territory.

A Logan man has faced court for his involvement as the “bag man” in trafficking $200,000 worth of cannabis into the Northern Territory.

A Logan man has faced court for his involvement as the “bag man” in trafficking $200,000 worth of cannabis into the Northern Territory.

Logan Central resident, Ian Richard Rolfe, 36, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on March 15, to two counts of possessing property obtained from drug trafficking.

The court heard Rolfe was involved in a drug trafficking syndicate, collecting amounts of money for cannabis distributed from Queensland to Darwin, Northern Territory.

“Mr Rolfe, through his actions, has assisted in interstate trafficking,” Crown prosecutor Peddell said.

“He assisted in completing that transaction.”

The court heard that Rolfe was caught on December 24 in 2019 in Logan driving with $125,000 cash that was previously exchanged for cannabis.

He was then pulled over in Roma on January 10 the next year, where police discovered a clip sealed back containing $76,000, the court heard.

“He at the time of arriving in Darwin would have known the extent of the nature of the trafficking operation as he had been directed to receive that money,” Ms Peddell said.

“He received a benefit of $6000.”

“He was travelling considerable distances to the Northern Territory to collect money and he was going to get paid significant amounts for it.”

Rolfe’s lawyer, James Feeley, said his client was remorseful.

“In his own words he says he definitely regrets it,” Mr Feeley said.

“It wasn’t offending motivated by addiction but it was for financial gain.

“At the time he was only doing tree lopping (for work).

“He was earning $50 a day and that wasn’t covering his bills and cost of living so that’s why he made the stupid decision to get involved.”

Judge Craig Chowdhury said Rolfe’s offending was serious and held a maximum time of imprisonment of 20 years.

“Trafficking in cannabis is an extremely dangerous offence and that can’t be committed without others,” Mr Chowdhury said.

“You in particular were acting as a courier and a bag man to go collect significant amounts of money.

“I’m sure you were struggling financially but you can’t resort to illegal means.”

Rolfe was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 18 months.

Convictions were recorded.