Brendan Ambrose: Port Franklin postie pleads guilty to growing cannabis

An Australia Post worker with 19 plants growing in his Gippsland backyard said he “overplanted” because he feared some wouldn’t survive the weather.

An Australia Post postman has been busted growing large amounts of cannabis. Picture: Generic

An Australia Post worker caught growing 19 cannabis plants in his backyard said he “overplanted” because some wouldn’t survive the weather.

Brendan Ambrose pleaded guilty at Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to cultivating, possessing and using cannabis.

The court heard police searched the man’s Port Franklin property in December 2020 when they found cannabis in his backyard, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Police found 42 grams in a ziplock bag, 223 grams in a coffee jar and three plastic bags, 156 grams in a bag, 42 grams in an eskie and three containers of cannabis seeds.

There were a total of 19 plants growing in his backyard and 463 grams of cannabis inside the house.

Ambrose’s lawyer Meaghan Crouch said the man was employed as a postman with Australia Post.

Ms Crouch said Ambrose was involved in a horse riding incident about 20 years ago where he and a horse fell onto a barbed wire fence.

“At the time he was told he had no long term injuries but about three years ago the pain had become so bad that he made further inquires which investigations uncovered a broken back,” she said.

“He was told at this late stage there was absolutely nothing they would be able to do with it.”

Ms Crouch said Ambrose increased his cannabis usage to manage the pain as panadol and nurofen “barely touched the sides”.

She said Ambrose refused to take stronger prescribed medication as his friend became addicted to oxycodone.

“Despite the large amount, he was growing for personal use only,” Ms Crouch said.

“The amount of plants was partly due to the time of the year — not all of the plants were successful but he overplanted taking in to account some wouldn’t survive.”

Ms Crouch said Ambrose may lose his job if he was convicted.

But magistrate Jacinta Studham said she needed more evidence to show whether that was true.

She said there was a “very, very, very high” amount of cannabis, twice the trafficable quantity.

Prosecutor Tim Cavanagh said posties were needed during the festive season.

“From a community post of view, we are coming up to Christmas and posties are needed so there may be a public interest for allowing this gentleman to go ahead at this busy time,” he said.

Ambrose will return to court on February 21 next year.

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