Full speed ahead for Caboolture drug dealer with big business dreams
A dumb drug deal between friends could have cost the man his business in the trucking industry, the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court heard.
Moreton
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A young man with big dreams could have lost it all at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court this morning when he faced seven drug-related charges.
Thomas Derrick Shanks, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a water pipe, unlawful possession of a grinder, and four charges of supplying dangerous drugs.
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The court heard the Caboolture man was working as a diesel mechanic and living in a sharehouse with friends when on September 1 police searched his home and found several drug utensils, in addition to a phone that contained incriminating text messages.
According to the police prosecution, the text messages revealed Shanks was supplying a small amount of cannabis to three friends and making plans to smoke it with them.
Magistrate Melanie Ho accepted that Shanks had no intention of making a commercial gain from the sale, but told him the offence could nonetheless create obstacles for future employment.
The court heard Shanks had plans to partner with his father to start up a trucking company in Tasmania, with a major retailer already on board to use their services.
“If a conviction is recorded it may put a halt to the contract,” said the lawyer for the defence.
“He has a lot riding on this. He’s not used cannabis since the arrest.”
Shanks was fined $1000 and no conviction was recorded.