Mace Boyer: Palm Beach electrician stole electricity to grow cannabis crop

A Gold Coast carpenter claims he is “embarrassed” after he was caught stealing electricity for a particularly bizarre reason.

A carpenter claims he is “embarrassed” after he was caught stealing electricity to help grow his cannabis crop.

Mace Boyer had been growing cannabis in his Palm Beach garden shed for at least three months when police raided his home on November 3.

The 39-year-old was found with 24 cannabis plants – many of which were mature – and cannabis in vacuum sealed bags in a freezer.

The total weight of the plants was 29kg.

Boyer pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Monday to possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils related to drugs and stealing electricity.

Mace Boyer outside Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, September 5, 2022. Picture: Lea Emery.

Acting Judge Katarina Prskalo fined Boyer $3500. A conviction was recorded.

She said from the material presented to the court it was clear Boyer felt “great shame and embarrassment” for the offending.

Crown prosecutor Natalie Lima said when police raided the property they found the cannabis plants were growing in the shed under heat lamps and with a hydroponic setup.

She said electrical cables were running from the power box to the shed, making it clear it was electricity to power the heat lamps.

The court was told that Boyer had been growing cannabis between August 8 and November 4, last year.

Ms Lima said the cannabis had the “potential for profit” and was grown in “a fairly sophisticated setup”.

Defence barrister Emily Lewsey, instructed by Brooke Winter Solicitors, said Boyer had been using cannabis to help with psychological problems since he was 20.

She provided nine clean urine tests provided between December last year and August this year.

Ms Lewsey said Boyer had been attending counselling sessions since he was charged as well.

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