Maxwell John Rush sentenced for drug trafficking after busted with 199g of methamphetamine

A drug trafficker found in possession of $199,000 worth of meth has been told by a judge his rap sheet was one of the worst he had ever seen

• NAMED: List of Townsville drug dealers, traffickers and producers
• Police bust Koby Lee Dance-Watson for drug trafficking after intercepting drugs at Brisbane Airport

A REPEAT drug trafficker found in possession of $199,000 worth of meth has been told by a judge his rap sheet was one of the worst he had ever seen.

Maxwell John Rush, 50, was on parole when police conducted a search warrant at his Hermit Park home on August 21, 2019.

The Townsville Supreme Court heard Rush came to the attention of police who were tracking drug dealers in the Townsville area.

Crown prosecutor Molly Mahlouzarides said police found 199.228g of methamphetamine during the search.

“A total of seven clip seal bags were found in the kitchen and lounge room areas of the house. Most of those bags were packaged in ounce or two-ounce lots,” she said.

“Notebook and diaries were also found in the kitchen and those documented drug-related debts owed to him of up to $55,000 from at least seven different people.”

Ms Mahlouzarides said police also uncovered $65,000 in cash and $4000 of casino chips and Rush also refused to provide his mobile phone pin.

It was estimated by authorities the drugs uncovered ranged in total from $49,000 to $199,000 depending on the quantities they were sold in.

Maxwell John Rush was sentenced to nine years’ jail for drug trafficking.

Rush pleaded guilty to eight charges including drug trafficking and contravening an order to provide information necessary to access information stored electronically.

The court heard Rush had been convicted of drug trafficking in 2004 and 2013, drug supply in 2006 and drug possession in 2016.

Defence barrister Travis Schmitt said his client had been abused as a young boy.

“His mother died when he was two years old and he was in the care of his father who experienced addictions,” he said.

“He started drug use and indeed continues that drug use as a form of coping with the trauma of those experiences.”

Mr Schmitt said Rush had spent only 25 months in the community in the past decade and asked Justice David North not to impose a “crushing” sentence.

Justice North told Rush his criminal history was appalling.

“In terms of the repetitive convictions for serious drug offending your history is as bad as any I have read or considered,” he said.

“You continue to offend notwithstanding significant sentences that are imposed.”

After declaring the 119 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time already served, Justice North sentenced Rush to nine years’ jail.

Justice North said he would set a parole eligibility date at January 4, 2024 to reflect the seriousness of failing to provide the phone pin to police.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Maxwell John Rush sentenced for drug trafficking after busted with 199g of methamphetamine