Craig Anthony Welsh: Man sentenced for 746 Thora cannabis crop

The court heard texts in which the man and his co-accused discussed irrigation methods and planting of the more 700 cannabis plants on a Coffs property.

A man who played a part in a massive illegal Thora cannabis crop with over 3200 plants has avoided jail.

Craig Anthony Welsh, 38, was sentenced in Lismore District Court on Monday for one count of knowingly taking part in the commercial supply of a prohibited plant.

Welsh grew up to 746 plants in one of three plots of land on a Thora property and within the accompanying home, the court heard.

At the time of the arrests, police alleged the total sum of the three crops with more than 3200 plants was worth a massive $6.5 million.

The court heard Welsh, who was living in a donga on the property at the time, likely did some maintenance involving the crop, the court heard.

Judge Jonathan Priestley also read from telephone intercepts between Welsh and other co-accused which detailed his involvement.

“Lets get all the s*** ready for the plots,” was just one text between Welsh and a higher-up.

In another conversation, Welsh discussed irrigation methods for the crop.

Judge Priestley acknowledged Welsh had remorse for the crime, of which he had spent over seven months in custody for.

“It seems to have been a period in his life in 2020 where his drug use became as problematic as it has ever been in his entire life,” he said.

Judge Priestley also noted the cannabis never reached the community due to the arrests made.

“While this offending had great potential to be very harmful to the community… it didn’t actually happen,” he said.

He convicted Welsh and sentenced him to a two year intensive corrections order, which will expire on June 19, 2024.

The order included the conditions that Welsh abstain from drugs and take part in 150 hours of community service.