Paul Patrick Condon jailed for cannabis set-up of 134 plants at Scone home

What began as a police investigation into claims of a shooting during a road rage incident, resulted in the arrest of an Upper Hunter man for commercial drug supply.

A court has heard an Upper Hunter man - who had links to an outlaw bikie gang - was encouraged to set up a somewhat “sophisticated” cannabis system to make money in times of financial hardship.

What began as a police investigation into claims of a shooting during a road rage incident, resulted in the arrest of 52-year-old Paul Patrick Condon for commercial drug supply, following a search of his Barton St home at Scone on November 25 last year.

It started when a 43-year-old man attended Scone Hospital just after 4am on November 24 with gunshot wounds to his knee and ankle, telling police he had pulled over after a car drove up behind him on the New England Highway near Wingen and he was randomly shot twice.

But following investigations, detectives allege the victim had instead attended the Barton St home earlier and got into an altercation with the resident, Mr Condon, who is accused of shooting him.

The cannabis set-up at the Scone, Barton St residence. Picture: NSW Police

The 43-year-old was later transferred to John Hunter Hospital where he recovered from his injuries.

As a result, Condon had his home searched where police then uncovered a hydroponic cannabis set-up in a shed and unauthorised guns.

Condon has pleaded not guilty to a charge of discharging a firearm with intentions to cause grievous bodily harm and will head to trial late next year.

However, he did plead guilty to a charge of cultivate a commercial quantity of cannabis and three related firearms charges.

On bail, Condon appeared in person at Newcastle District Court on Friday where he was taken into custody after being sentenced to three years jail with a non-parole period of 8 months, which means with time already served he’ll be eligible for release in September next year.

In court, police footage was played of his elaborate cannabis set-up at the Scone residence, which saw 134 plants as well as cannabis leaf.

Police also located a .22 calibre rifle stored under the bed, which had no ammunition but was operable.

During the walk-through footage, the court heard Condon admitting the plants were his but then claimed he was growing them to provide free to anyone that needed them.

134 cannabis plants were seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

Although, in a later interview with community corrections the court heard he intended to sell the cannabis for financial gain and was associating with members from an outlaw motorcycle gang, who had a “negative influence” on him.

Defence barrister Jason Curtis said it was clear his client had significant remorse for his actions and had accepted responsibility, with good prospects of rehabilitation.

The court also heard the 52-year-old had suffered from recent serious mental health issues.

But Crown Prosecutor David Hoitnik said the quantity of plants, the sophistication of the cannabis system and his “principal” role meant he was not just a “crop sitter” or “peripheral player” in the operation.

Judge Roy Ellis agreed there was quite some work involved in the set-up of the “reasonable” operation.

“It is clear the whole arrangement may have been encouraged by negative peers, but it was an enterprise he undertook and committed to for financial gain,” Judge Ellis said.