Kyogle man enters pleas over 780-plant illegal cannabis crop

A man accused of growing 780 cannabis plants near Casino has entered his pleas in regards to the massive illegal crop, found by police in December 2020.

Police allegedly located 780 plants on one of his Kyogle properties.

A Kyogle man accused of growing 780 cannabis plants near Casino has entered his pleas in regards to the massive illegal crop.

Justin Leslie McDonald’s matters were mentioned on Wednesday, August 11 in Lismore Local Court.

He stands charged with one count of cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis.

Originally from Queensland, Mr McDonald, who has family in Yamba and properties in the Kyogle area, was arrested in December 2020 after police allegedly located 780 plants on one of his properties.

On Wednesday, Mr McDonald’s solicitor Vince Boss indicated he was ready to enter a guilty plea on his client’s behalf for the cultivation charge.

It is understood the possession charge is to be withdrawn.

McDonald stands charged with one count of cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis.

It comes as the DPP presented a case conference certificate and an amended charge sheet to the court that morning.

Given lockdown restrictions, Magistrate Michael Dakin was unable to proceed with the matter to Lismore District Court committal.

McDonald remains on bail on the condition he does not leave NSW and does not enter any international airport.

His matters were adjourned for sentence committal mention in Lismore Local Court on August 25.