Edmonton former roofer, Daniel Micheal McColm, 35, faces court for trafficking Meth
A 35-year-old tradesman turned to meth and trafficking when he fell from a roof while working, breaking six ribs and sustaining serious injuries to his feet, a court has heard.
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A 35-year-old tradesman turned to meth and trafficking when he fell from a roof while working, breaking six ribs and sustaining serious injuries to his feet, a court has heard.
Daniel Micheal McColm, of Edmonton, previously pleaded guilty to five charges including two charges of trafficking, one count of supplying a dangerous drug and one count each of possession of cannabis and methylamphetamine.
Crown Prosecutor Hannah McNeale told the court McColm was being sentenced for two periods of recorded trafficking in 2022 around Cairns following intercepted tapped communications that revealed “multiple drug supplies, debt collection and trafficking conversations”.
Ms McNeale told the court McColm ran the operation with his then partner and co-accused and worked together in the “joint enterprise” to engage customers and facilitate supply of drugs from their supplier.
Ms McNeale described the offending as a “street level meth operation” supplying end point users with the occasional supply for selling.
The court heard the pair came to the attention of police through investigation of their supplier and later a police stop of McColm’s unregistered vehicle.
A search found a small amount of cannabis and 5 clip seal bags of Meth crystals totalling 5.34 grams, and $4300 cash stashed in a glasses case.
Ms McNeale told the court McColm was charged for possession, issued a notice to appear and was granted bail after the intercept.
But despite being caught McColm continued to deal drugs, the court heard.
“The pair changed their trafficking operation because they believed they were being watched by the drug squad trying to catch their dealer in ‘a big bust’,” Ms McNeale told the court.
Ms McNeale said that the profit McColm was making was unclear but it was believed he would turnover $5000-6000 from seven grams of meth.
The prosecutor said the pair would use the threat of violence to retrieve debts “suggesting their supplier was well connected and had enforcers to collect his debts”.
McColm’s Defence Council Kelly Goodwin told the court his descent into drug use and trafficking began when he was injured during a fall while working as a roofing plumber.
“He had a serious accident in which he fell from a roof which left him with six broken ribs and serious injuries to his feet,” Mr Goodwin said.
“His use of painkillers led to an addiction and eventual dabbling in illicit substances.”
Mr Goodwin conceded that McColm played an “active and central” role in the offending but maintained the the operation was within the context of funding ongoing drug use.
Mr Goodwin also told the court McColm’s time in prison awaiting sentence was onerous as he had had his jaw broken and wired by an “unprovoked” punch.
Justice James Henry adjourned the sentencing until December 13.
McColms co-accused is yet to be committed for sentence and they are yet to enter a plea.
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Originally published as Edmonton former roofer, Daniel Micheal McColm, 35, faces court for trafficking Meth
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