Jeffrey Mears: Cessnock drug mule sentenced for Dubbo jobs
A pensioner who lived a double life as a drug mule and was busted by police on a major highway with cannabis and cocaine hidden in an esky did it all for just a measley amount.
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A drug mule who helped a syndicate move large amounts of cannabis and cocaine from the Hunter Valley and Mudgee regions to Dubbo will be released from jail in time to spend Christmas with his grandchildren.
Cessnock man Jeffrey Paul Mears pleaded guilty to supplying 32.54 kilograms of cannabis and 3.44 grams of cocaine to Dubbo builder Caine Rootes in November 2018 and March 2019.
On Friday Mears was the first member of the syndicate to be sentenced by Dubbo District Court Judge Nanette William, who said his role in the syndicate was minor compared to the other men involved.
Judge Williams told the court Mears was engaged by Michael Paul Anderson, a man from Cassilis about 90 kilometres north of Mudgee, to pick up the drugs from various locations and deliver them to Dubbo.
The court heard after Mears delivered cannabis to Rootes, it would then be supplied by Rootes to former panel beater Adam Carnevale and sold by Carnevale to customers in Dubbo.
Police established Strike Force Bato to smash the syndicate, and between August 2018 and March 2019 undercover officers infiltrated the group.
In November 2018, police listened to a phone call between Rootes and Anderson, where the men used coded language to organise a drug deal.
Three days after the call was made, the court heard Mears picked up 13.62kg of cannabis from an unknown supplier and delivered it to Rootes on a property just outside of Dubbo while police were secretly watching.
In March 2019, police intercepted another phone call between Anderson and Rootes.
Two days after the call was made, Mears loaded an esky into the rear of his vehicle and purchased alcohol and ice to conceal 18.92kg of cannabis and 3.44 grams he intended to deliver to Rootes in Dubbo.
Police stopped Mears in Dunedoo, while he was on his way to Dubbo with the drugs.
Judge Williams said when police found the drugs, Mears denied knowing they were in the esky.
“He (Mears) said he didn’t look in the esky and thought it just contained beer.
“He said he comes out to Dubbo every few weeks, sometimes every week, this was to go camping.
“He said he didn’t bring any camping gear because he only intended to stay for one night.”
The court heard Mears told police he could not name the people he was supposedly going camping with because he would “get shot” if he did.
Eight days after Mears was caught, police executed search warrants at properties in Dubbo, Cassilis and the Hunter Valley. Other alleged members of the syndicate were arrested and charged, along with Mears who has been remanded in custody ever since.
Judge Williams said Mears told police “he had heard of Caine Rootes but did not know him”.
When police told Mears they watched him meet Rootes in the previous November, Mears made no comment.
“I’ve been taken for a fool,” Mears said.
In a letter to the court, Mears expressed regret over his role in the syndicate and said his actions were “absolutely stupid”.
“I should have known there are no shortcuts in life and that I should have battled on if I needed to financially get on top of things,” he said.
“I’ve never taken any illegal drugs ever.
“I will not be in trouble again.”
Mears said before his arrest he was living in Cessnock with his two daughters and grandchildren.
He said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and relied on the disability support pension for income for 20 years.
Judge Williams said Mears indicated he was paid about $500 each time he delivered the drugs.
“He (Mears) said he needed the money and that was the reason for transporting the cannabis.
“He said he knew it was risky but was led to believe it wasn’t as serious as it was.”
After taking into account the early guilty plea Mears entered in the Local Court, his mental illness and limited criminal history, Judge Williams sentenced him to three years and nine months in jail.
A non-parole period of one years and nine months was imposed, with Mears eligible for parole on December 17.
Other alleged members of the syndicate remain before the courts and are due to be sentenced in November and December, with one to stand trial next year.
Rootes has pleaded guilty to cocaine and cannabis supply, and dealing with $420,000 which was the proceeds of crime.
Former Dubbo panel beater Carnevale pleaded guilty to cannabis supply and dealing with $416,500 in proceeds of crime.
Michael Anderson has pleaded guilty to two drug supply charges and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Mr Carnevale’s partner Tracey Gould has pleaded not guilty to knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and knowingly taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug. She will stand trial in May.