Janelle Ferguson, Benjamin Sallaway in Beenleigh Court for Marsden cannabis trafficking

A Logan couple’s cannabis trafficking operation came crumbling down when they were sprung by police with $12k cash, and the key culprit was tackled by police as he attempted to flee.

Janelle Ferguson and Benjamin Sallaway leaving Beenleigh District Court

A Logan couple’s cannabis trafficking operation came crumbling down when they were sprung by police with $12k cash, 650g of pot and the key culprit was tackled by police as he attempted to flee.

Police raided Janelle Louise Ferguson and Benjamin Kenneth Bruce Sallaway’s Marsden home on February 22, last year, Beenleigh District Court heard.

When police asked for 31-year-old Sallaway’s phone he darted for the door and was tackled by an officer.

The raid seized 693g of cannabis organised into clip seal bags, five glass water pipes, fireworks and $12,600 cash locked in a safe.

Janelle Louise Ferguson and Benjamin Kenneth Bruce Sallaway pleaded guilty on March 15 to trafficking dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs exceeding 500g and possession of pipes and property used in the commission of a crime.

Sallaway, 31, also pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer for his attempts to flee the scene.

The court heard 27-year-old Ferguson and Sallaway would buy a pound of cannabis at a time and sell it over Facebook.

They would advertise the prices online, show photos of the product and their profit was roughly $1400 per week.

The Marsden couple’s offending occurred from November to December, 2022 and police also found a PlayStation and television purchased with drug profits.

Defence barrister Rick Taylor said the profits the pair made from trafficking were not significant.

“The selling of the drugs was primarily to fund their own habit and not for commercial use,” he said.

Judge Deborah Holliday said the couple showed prospects of rehabilitation.

“I accept that you have remained in the community for 10 months since being released on bail and have not reoffended,” she said.

“This is still serious offending however, cannabis can damage users and the community.”

Sallaway was sentenced to two and a half years prison, released immediately on parole.

He had already served a month of pre-sentence custody.

Ferguson was sentenced to 18 months prison, wholly suspended for 18 months.

She was also placed on probation for a period of 18 months.

Originally published as Janelle Ferguson, Benjamin Sallaway in Beenleigh Court for Marsden cannabis trafficking