Drug syndicate mastermind Shannon Macauley says he’s a changed man
The mastermind of a drug syndicate operating out of Sydney’s southwest has told the court he is a changed man after spending most of his adult life behind bars.
Macarthur
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A drugs mastermind who has spent most of his adult life behind bars has desperately pleaded to the court that he is a changed man.
Father-of-two Shannon Macauley admitted to commercial drug supply in May this year following the discovery of a blue Aldi freezer bag full of $133,970 cash, 105.6g of methylamphetamine and 382.2g of cocaine under a rock in bushland near his Wilton home in 2016.
The 38-year-old told the court he had been lured by the scent of easy money, struggling with his new-found freedom after being jailed for ploughing his car into a group of people at an 18th birthday party he gatecrashed in Camden South.
He was later cleared of involvement in the death of partygoer Nathan Garriock, 18, who was struck in the back of the head with a timber block and kicked into unconsciousness during the resultant melee.
Macauley told Campbelltown District Court post his release he was struggling financially and was promised $20,000 to store drugs and cash for old friends.
“I wasn’t dealing too well (following my release from prison),” he told the court. “I caught up with a few people I use to hang around and was offered a way to get some money.”
Macauley said the family of his partner Kimberley Treacy, who launched national beauty empire The Lip Lab in 2015 with her sister, wasn’t helping financially. Ms Treacy was committed to stand trial for commercial drug supply last month.
When police went to arrest Macauley at his Wilton home in July 2017, they were greeted by Ms Treacy who told them she couldn’t locate her partner due to a “domestic argument’ the night before.
Detectives then searched the home, finding found more than $70,000 cash and 730g of ice in a cardboard box on the kitchen cupboard, before later finding a Christmas present filled with about $80,000 in a Toyota Camry.
Crown solicitor Krishna Blackley-Stocker put it to Macauley that Ms Treacy was aware of the drugs and money stashed away, with the 38-year-old denying his partner had any knowledge.
He told the judge that he was desperate to change his ways.
“I don’t want my children to follow the way I have lived and the things I have done,” he said.
“I want to better myself. This is my last chance.”
Macauley, who is functionally illiterate, told the court he was committed to gaining qualifications and meaningful employment. His barrister John Korn called on the court to impose a sentence which would allow him to ultimately return to society.
“At this stage of his life, this might be the best and last chance to bring rehabilitation (to Macauley).
The 38-year-old will sentenced in Campbelltown District Court on Friday.