Cops supplied with MDMA at Stock Exchange Hotel

A young Moreton Bay man bragged to undercover cops at a popular Brisbane CBD pub he was a “drug dealer” before selling them drugs, a court has heard.

A young Moreton Bay man bragged to undercover cops at a popular Brisbane CBD pub he was a “drug dealer” before selling them MDMA capsules and cocaine, a court has heard.

New Zealand-born North Lakes resident Lewis James Edhouse, 25, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Monday to eight offences including possessing a Schedule 1 drug, MDMA, six counts of supplying a Schedule 1 dangerous drug and possessing the suspected proceeds of a drug offence, cash.

The court heard the supply offences occurred on the evening of February 10, 2019 at the Stock Exchange Hotel on Edward St.

Undercover police twice witnessed patrons of the hotel approach Edhouse and whisper in his ear before MDMA caps were exchanged for money, which he gave to an acquaintance.

One of the two officers approached Edhouse, who blithely told them, “I’m a drug dealer” with 50 capsules to sell, the court heard, and purchased five caps for $100.

The second officer approached him and also purchased five caps.

North Lakes MDMA dealer Lewis James Edhouse, 25. Picture: Facebook

In total, the 10 capsules contained 0.64g of substance, of which 0.188g was pure MDMA, a purity of less than one-third.

Edhouse then offered the undercover officers cocaine, which was delivered to the pub by a third party.

Edhouse sold the officers half a gram of cocaine, which contained 0.12g of pure cocaine, a purity of about 22 per cent, for $170.

Later that year on December 9, police executed a search warrant on Edhouse’s address.

There, they uncovered 16 MDMA capsules, $400 cash and a variety of paraphernalia including empty gel capsules, clipseal bags and digital scales.

Edhouse, who had never been charged with an offence prior, was “shocked by his arrest”, the court was told.

The Stock Exchange Hotel, Brisbane 22nd of February 2021. (Image/Josh Woning)

The court heard Edhouse travelled to Australia from New Zealand in his late teens to seek a fresh start after the untimely death of his estranged father.

His lack of support led to him “losing his way” in the party scene, and he began associating with regular drug users.

Since August, however, Edhouse had secured permanent work at a feedlot at Condamine, on the Darling Downs, where he works a 12-day on, four-day off roster, travelling to the Gold Coast on his days off to see his extended family.

As part of this work he is regularly drug tested.

Edhouse was imprisoned for 12 months, wholly suspended for a period of two years, and convictions were recorded.

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