Benjamin McDonald pleads guilty at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court to trafficking cannabis

A Castlemaine plumber has been busted trafficking cannabis from home right under the nose of his girlfriend and her sister.

Benjamin McDonald was busted in a major drug raid growing and trafficking cannabis in Central Victoria.

A Castlemaine plumber has narrowly avoided jail after a major drug raid revealed he was trafficking cannabis.

Benjamin McDonald, 24, pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis after a police raid revealed a major growing operation in his Chewton home.

The drug squad raided the home in March, uncovering cannabis and several plants.

Benjamin McDonald was busted trafficking cannabis.

Police found more than a dozen plants growing in a shed at the rear of the property and in a hydroponic grow tent, the court heard.

Police revealed a bedroom in the home had been converted into a cannabis drying room, with McDonald using fly screen doors to dry the drug.

Police also found scales, deal bags and an imitation firearm in the house.

McDonald’s girlfriend and her sister were home at the time and were detained during the search.

Benjamin McDonald, 24, pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis after a police raid revealed a major growing operation in his Chewton home.

When McDonald came home he was arrested and told police the operation was entirely his responsibility and his girlfriend and her sister who also lived at the address were not involved.

The court heard McDonald was employed as a fourth year apprentice plumber at the time of the drug raid, and he was very close to becoming fully qualified.

Charges of commercial trafficking and cultivation were withdrawn after McDonald pleaded guilty, with an application granted to keep the matter in the Magistrates’ Court.

Following negotiations around McDonald’s plea deal the prosecution told the court that a community correction order would be an appropriate sentence.

Magistrate Russell Kelly convicted and sentenced McDonald to a two year community corrections order, telling the drug dealer that he was lucky, being “that close” to a prison sentence.