Ashley Douglas Moran sentenced for producing 0.26g of methamphetamine with home drug lab

A man who bought materials to build a drug lab from Bunnings was cooking methamphetamine in a shed where he was living at the time.

A man who bought materials to build a drug lab from Bunnings was cooking methamphetamine in a shed where he was living at the time.

On April 19 last year police conducted a search warrant at a Cranbrook address where Ashley Douglas Moran was residing in the backyard shed.

The Townsville District Court heard police located a variety of glassware consistent with a rudimentary drug laboratory in the shed.

Police also located precursors for the production of methamphetamine.

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The court heard an analysis of the glassware revealed methamphetamine residue.

It was estimated by police scientists the amount of methamphetamine produced in the glassware was 0.26g.

Prosecuting for the crown, Monique Sheppard said Moran sourced the glassware from a hardware store.

“The day prior to the execution of the search warrant the defendant along with his (co-offender) and partner went to Bunnings and purchased various items that are frequently used in the production of methamphetamine,” she said.

Ms Sheppard said an analysis of Moran’s mobile phone uncovered three offers to supply methamphetamine and six offers to supply cannabis.

She said one actual supply occurred where Moran swapped 0.1g of methamphetamine in exchange for a ‘foil’ of cannabis.

Moran was arrested on April 30 last year.

He pleaded guilty to 13 charges including producing a dangerous drug.

Defence barrister Harvey Walters presented to Judge Gregory Lynham a letter of support written by Moran’s mother setting out her son’s “background”.

She explained being held in custody had been “a wake up call” for her son and that it had “broken” Moran.

Judge Gregory Lynham warned Moran of the potential dangers of cooking meth.

“Involving yourself even in a rudimentary and unsophisticated methamphetamine cook as you did here is fraught with danger,” he said.

“Because of the way in which these home drug labs are set up, they’re inherently dangerous.

“They cause fires, people have been injured, they have been killed when houses have caught fire or as is often the case, unit complexes where they are set up,” he said.

After declaring the 561 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served, Judge Lynham sentenced Moran to 561 days’ jail and he was released.

Originally published as Ashley Douglas Moran sentenced for producing 0.26g of methamphetamine with home drug lab