Riley Mulquiny: Tradie sentenced for supplying cocaine in Cronulla

A sprinkler fitter didn’t want to take the drugs he purchased for a 21st birthday party. But instead of flushing them down a toilet he thought he’d make a quick buck, a court has heard.

A tradie had been fined after he sold his unwanted coke to a friend of a friend who dropped the bag of drugs in view of police, a court has heard.

Engadine’s Riley Mulquiny, 20, fronted Sutherland Local Court last week where he was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to supplying drugs.

Agreed facts tendered to court said the sprinkler installer came under the notice of police on April 30 this year at about 8.20pm while they were conducting patrols of the Cronulla CBD.

Officers watched Mulquiny and another man walk towards a white Toyota HiLux on Elouera Road where they exchanged cash before the man walked away.

Riley Mulquiny was sentenced to CCO for a drug deal with a mate at Cronulla. He bought the drugs to use at a party, didn't use them then instead of throwing them away on-sold them. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

He dropped a small clear resealable bag of cocaine onto the roadway while he was trying to put it into his wallet, along with two other bags, court documents said.

Police stopped the man who admitted, “I’ve done a bad thing … I’ve bought drugs”.

According to documents, the man told officers he bought $600 worth of cocaine from Mulquiny, giving him $300 in cash and owing him the remainder.

Police approached Mulquiny who was still in the driver’s seat of his ute.

Upon seeing the officers, he stashed the cash into the centre console, the court documents said.

The officers searched the car and found the money, along with a bottle of prescription medication.

A Snapchat message between Mulquiny and the man was found, as was an empty small, clear resealable bag in his wallet, the court documents said.

Mulquiny was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station where he denied the allegations of selling drugs.

Mulquiny was charged with supplying prohibited drugs, dealing with the property proceeds of crime and goods in custody.

Last week, the court heard Mulquiny was given the prescription medication but had no intention of using it.

His lawyer said Mulquiny thought it was used to come off steroids, however later found out it was medication for breast cancer.

Riley Mulquiny outside Sutherland Local Court on June 23. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Mulquiny’s lawyer said her client was not supplying cocaine for his own “benefit or profit” but had previously bought it to use at a 21st birthday party but did not end up taking it.

After a friend questioned why he had the drugs, Mulquiny wanted to get rid of them but instead of flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away he on-sold the cocaine to a friend of a friend, his lawyer said.

“He wanted to get it off his hands, but he did not do that in the right way,” she said. “He realises how foolish it was.”

The court heard Mulquiny did not have a drug problem but had sought counselling from a church program.

His lawyer said Mulquiny had a strong moral background and being arrested and going to court had been a “sobering experience”.

“He has stable employment, the support of his parents and good prospects of rehabilitation,” she said.

Magistrate Stewart also noted Mulquiny had no criminal record and was a person of otherwise good character, noting his age, remorse, family support and employment.

“Every week someone goes to jail for being a dial-a-dealer in cocaine, more in the Sutherland area than in St George,” he said.

“Drug supply is generally hard to detect and police devote resources to locate suppliers.”

“You don’t know what is in the cocaine or how likely it is to adversely affect a person. What if it did and you were responsible.

“You will need to rebuild the trust with your parents.”

Magistrate Stewart recorded a conviction, fined Mulquiny $1000 and placed him on a 15-month community correction order where he must not take illegal drugs.

“I hope this has been a salient experience for you and you never come back before the court again,” Magistrate Stewart said,