Mitchell Lloyd Oliver faces court for drug possession, dangerous driving

When he was first busted with meth his lawyer said he was a strong candidate for rehabilitation, but years later police found him driving dangerously and holding a much larger quantity.

Mitchell Lloyd Oliver faced Mackay Supreme Court, pleading guilty to possessing 14.89 grams of the drug ice at Andergrove.

A Mackay man was busted with thousands of dollars worth of pure meth after police chased him down.

Mitchell Lloyd Oliver, 35, was called a “strong candidate” for rehabilitation when he faced the Supreme Court in 2017 after he was caught with a bag of meth in his pants.

The Mackay Supreme Court heard eight years later Oliver found himself once again before the court after police caught him with seven times the previous amount.

Patrolling police saw Oliver driving dangerously on February 15, 2024 near Gregory St just before at 12.40am and gave chase.

He fled in his car before he was pulled over and they discovered he was driving while his licence was suspended.

After searching the car they discovered 100g — 75g pure — of methamphetamine in 11 clip sealed bags, 0.14g of MDMA as well as money and other drug paraphernalia.

Mitchell Lloyd Oliver previously faced Mackay Supreme Court and pleaded guilty to possessing 14.89 grams of the drug ice at Andergrove.

Oliver was arrested and, as he was on parole at the time of the offending, returned to prison where he remained from February 17, 2024 until March 5, 2025 for a total of 383 days.

Supreme Court Justice David North estimated the value of the meth, depending on how it was marketed, was between $9,000 and $45,000.

Defence Barrister Scott McLennan said that Oliver was supported in court by family members.

“My client understands that really his best chance of abstaining from methamphetamine on his release is by completing residential rehabilitation,” Mr McLennan said.

“He’s already made inquiries about that.”

Oliver, after asking to address the court, said he struggled with drug addiction for a very long time, but was now drug free and looking forward to his release so he could “get my life back on track”.

“I realise that my actions are unacceptable in the community and I’m very embarrassed for what I’ve done,” Oliver said.

“Thank you to my family for all their support in this time in my life.”

Oliver addressed the Justice North and thanked him for the opportunity to get his life back on track.

Justice North said he would sentence Oliver on the basis he was not only going to use the drug, but he also intended to sell it.

“Possibly with a view to raising money so you could get your hands on more drugs for your use,” Justice North said.

“It’s a substantial quantity of drugs.

“This is the fourth time that you’ve been before the courts charged with the possession of an aggravated quantity of a drug such as methamphetamine.”

Justice North said when Oliver offended in the past he was sentenced and released and “on each occasion you’ve stood back up and started offending again with respect to drugs”.

“The possession of such a large quantity of meth with a commercial intent as I discussed is a serious offence,” Justice North said.

Oliver was jailed for a period of five years with a parole eligibility date set at October 14, 2025.

He also had his driver's licence disqualified for two years for driving unlicensed and dangerous driving.

His time in custody from August 25, 2024, a total of 193 days after his parole expired, was declared as time served and convictions were recorded.

Oliver was issued with a serious drug offence certificate.

Originally published as Mitchell Lloyd Oliver faces court for drug possession, dangerous driving