Jason Michael Stewart sentenced for drug dealing in Grafton and Coffs Harbour after being shot by police during arrest

A major drug dealer who used fake identities to push meth on the North Coast has been sentenced after he was shot while fleeing police. Here’s what happened.

A major drug dealer who used fake identities to push meth on the North Coast has been sentenced after he was shot while fleeing police.

South Grafton man Jason Michael Stewart copped a bullet in the shoulder while he fled arrest as police closed in on him on April 14 last year.

He pleaded guilty to a raft of drug supply charges in December last year after being busted with a haul of methamphetamines, cannabis and drug money.

Jason Michael Stewart outside Lismore Local Court.

Police monitored thousands of calls and texts by Stewart, revealing he was a major drug dealer in the Grafton and Coffs Harbour areas.

Stewart used “no less” than nine burner phones to supply, which he replaced every couple of weeks, Grafton Local Court was told.

Police monitoring revealed Stewart made several trips to Sydney to pick up drugs.

Police on scene. Picture: Frank Redward

He was eventually tracked down, but fled police when they tried to arrest him in Coffs Harbour.

Police tried to pull Stewart over on the Pacific Hwy, south of the Stadium Dr intersection, about 10.25am on April 14 last year.

Stewart accelerated at officers as they approached the vehicle.

“The officer fired one round from his police issued firearm, striking a 30-year-old Grafton male,” Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna said after the shooting.

The scene of the Coffs shooting. Picture: Frank Redward.

Stewart drove off and police pursued him northbound on the highway.

But a short time later, Stewart’s vehicle stopped on Hogbin Dr, he was arrested and taken to hospital.

Police searched Stewart’s property and found 20 pounds of cannabis (9kg) after the arrest, Judge Jonathan Priestley told the court.

He was also busted with scales and plastic bags for drugs, police facts state.

A crime scene set up after Stewart was shot. Picture: Frank Redward

Police also seized $12,300 of drug money and he was found to have 190 grams of meth stored in a chip packet in the glove box of an Austin Healey car – with an estimated street value of about $77,000.

Officers also seized a bag containing 445g more cannabis.

Stewart told police he was a key figure in a drug supply operation, the court heard.

“I’ve got mates to do these sorts of things,” Stewart told police.

On Friday, Judge Priestley convicted and sentenced Stewart to a three-year intensive correction order, expiring October 26, 2026.