Jesica Bustamante aka Jess Makaveli avoids jail for growing cannabis at Maidstone home

A rising Melbourne pop star swapped the mic for the watering can after getting the idea to grow cannabis from watching Netflix.

Jesica Bustamante aka Jess Makaveli pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis. Instagram.

An aspiring pop singer has avoided a conviction after she was nabbed growing cannabis at the Maidstone home she shares with her three children.

Jesica Bustamante, 28, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to a 12-month adjourned undertaking after pleading guilty to cultivating cannabis.

Police raided Bustamante’s Eucalyptus Drive home and seized cannabis and sophisticated growing equipment including heat lamps on December 17 last year.

Investigators discovered multiple plant pots and harvested cannabis hanging from drying racks and aided with a ventilation system.

Police also seized loose cannabis, a flick knife, piping, plant stakes, watering utensils and bottles of hydroponic nutrient.

Bustamante was arrested, charged and interviewed by police.

“(I) was bored over lockdown and saw it on Netflix so wanted to try and see if I could do it (grow cannabis),” Bustamante told investigators.

Bustamante grew weed at her home after getting the idea from Netflix.

Bustamante worked as an exotic dancer.

Bustamante said she ordered the ‘White Rhino’ and ‘Cookie Scout (Girl Scout Cookies)’ cannabis seeds online.

”Got lights and everything from hydro set up … watered them everyday and kept them under

light … researched when to know when they’re ready,” Bustamante told police.

The court was told Bustamante, under the stage name Jess Makaveli, is a rising Melbourne pop star currently working on her debut album.

Bustamante, a former exotic dancer, was signed by label Cosmic Bounce Records and recently released a single ‘Que Pasa’ with accompanying music video.

Bustamante is working on her debut album.

Bustamante recently released a single ‘Que Pasa’.

The court was told Bustamante released her first single in March last year.

The mother of three, who grew up in Sunshine, worked as a beauty therapist and now runs her own online flower business.

Bustamante, who also receives a carer’s benefit, has loss income due to a downturn in the local music industry caused by Covid-19.

It was submitted any additional money Bustamante makes goes back to into her album

Bustamante also plans to tour Australia after Covid restrictions ease, the court was told.

Magistrate Jelena Popovic spared Bustamante a drug conviction.

“I hope it (guilty plea) doesn’t stop you from being able to travel overseas in the future,” Magistrate Popovic said.

“Do you understand if you have drug convictions you’ll never be able to get into the United States.”

Bustamante is a mother of three.

Bustamante worked as an exotic dancer.

“Yep, ah, that’s something I really want to do in the future, so thank you,” Bustamante said.

However, Magistrate Popovic lashed Bustamante for being a poor role model to her children.

“Well they aren’t stupid are they can see what goes on around the house,” Magistrate Popovic said.

“I‘m not sure you took these proceedings very seriously or understood the ramifications of what could happen to the future that you’re planning for yourself …

“When you’re thinking about planning the future for yourself the important thing is what you’re planning for those three kids.”

Bustamante was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond.

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