Ormeau concreter Benjamin Luke Ross jailed for meth crime spree

An alleged Gold Coast bikie broke down in tears in court as he was jailed for a spate of meth-fuelled crimes.

Benjamin Luke Ross was jailed after he was caught with large quantities of meth on three separate occasions in 2022.

A serial drug dealer and alleged bikie wept before while being sentenced to jail after he was caught with meth on three separate occasions last year, totalling more than 350 grams.

Benjamin Luke Ross, 32, pleaded guilty to five serious drug offences including supplying dangerous drugs and possession of methylamphetamine and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), as well as eight other drug offences in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.

It marked the 18th time Mr Ross, a former concreter in Ormeau, had appeared before the courts.

He cried as he told Justice Kerri Mellifont that he had finally sought help for his meth addiction.

“This is the first time I’ve asked for help for my drug addiction … there’s no shame in asking for help,” he said.

The court heard Mr Ross was caught with large quantities of meth on three separate occasions in 2022, while he was on parole for other crimes.

The first was on March 29, when police searched his bedroom and located 110.6 grams of pure meth, $33,000 cash, ammunition, knuckle dusters, scales and snap lock bags.

Mr Ross was charged and released on bail.

Benjamin Luke Ross.

Just two months later, officers intercepted his motorcycle and found another 128.4 grams of pure meth, and 330 grams of GHB, a date rape drug otherwise known as liquid fantasy, as well as knives, $650 cash and some cannabis.

Mr Ross was again charged and released on bail.

Then on June 11, Mr Ross crashed his motorbike, and when police attended the scene, they found yet another 26 grams of pure meth, more ammunition and drug utensils.

Magistrate Claire Kelly denied his bail in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court, after officers from Organised Crime Gangs Group Taskforce Maxima alleged Ross was still an active bikie.

By the time he reached his Supreme Court sentence on Wednesday, Mr Ross had accrued a nine-page criminal history.

His defence barrister, David Funch told the court Mr Ross had a disadvantaged childhood and spent a lot of time “living on the street,” after being abused by multiple step fathers to his absent mother.

He argued Mr Ross’ woeful repeat offending was not “blatant disregard” for law and could be explained by his heavy meth addiction caused by his poor upbringing.

“This is a fellow who may well rehabilitate if he is able to address the underlying causes,” Mr Funch said.

The court heard Mr Ross was also involved in a serious motorcycle crash in October 2018 which resulted in him being placed into an induced coma and later having his spleen removed, permanently affecting his immune system.

Justice Mellifont commented that the psychological report provided to the court “alluded to” Mr Ross being diagnosed with a brain injury from the crash.

Mr Funch attempted to argue that Mr Ross was not “directly profiting” from the large quantities of drugs in his possession and was simply a heavy drug user.

But this was quickly quashed by Crown prosecutor Alexandra Baker who pointed out the $33,000 cash, various drug accessories, and Mr Ross’ direct admission to his psychologist that “he sells drugs,” contradicted that statement.

“Quantities exceed the heaviest of users,” she said. Justice Mellifont acknowledged Mr Ross’ early guilty plea but said he “really had no choice” given the “overwhelming evidence” against him.

“Fairly late breaking remorse … sometimes consequent of someone spending time in custody and having to reflect on past behaviour,” Justice Mellifont said.

Mr Ross was given a five-year jail sentence, with parole eligibility from September 14, 2024. His 201 days spent in pre-sentence custody during his various stints in jail last year was counted as time served.

“Meth is a disgusting drug, it’s an insidious drug, it destroys lives of people every day in our community,” Justice Mellifont said.

“You’ve got some work to do.”