Tattslotto store co-owner was also running cannabis growing business from Berwick home
A Tattslotto store co-owner’s good fortune has run out after police found an “elaborate hydroponic set-up” at the rear of his Berwick home, with his unlucky numbers including 141 cannabis plants weighing almost 25kg and an $8000 illegal electrical bypass.
South East
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A Tattslotto operator caught running a sophisticated cannabis growing operation out of his Berwick home says he was supplying medical marijuana, a court has heard.
Robin McGillien, 63, was arrested on July 18, 2018 after police discovered an “elaborate hydroponic set-up” at the rear of his Tennyson Close home.
Police seized 141 plants of varying ages with a total weight of almost 25kg.
McGillien had six rooms fitted out with carbon filters, exhaust fans, water pumps for irrigation and timing devices.
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And the sophisticated drug den was powered with an illegal electrical bypass.
McGillien told police he grew marijuana to produce cannabis oil for people with “medical issues”.
He said the $8000 electrical bypass pushed the overall cost of his set-up to an estimated $25,000.
McGillien said he only sold weed to cover his outlay costs.
He said some of the cannabis was for personal use and he gave a little bit to friends also.
However, Judge Irene Lawson said McGillien’s offending was “well planned and executed”.
“Having regard to the sophisticated nature of the set-up and its extent … I consider that this was a commercial operation,” she said.
“Whilst accepting that you were altruistic with respect to you intended distribution of the cannabis oil, nonetheless, there was a degree of commerciality to your venture and this is not a case of spontaneous offending.”
Battler McGillien has been in the wars since he hurt has back while running a failed Mr Antenna franchise.
He then ran a hotel but the physical nature of the work meant he had to give that up.
McGillien bought his Tattslotto business with partner Sharon Fisher.
The business – which the couple still owns – was included on the search warrant.
Ms Fisher was arrested but released without charge.
Both McGillien’s sons said their dad’s “out of character” offending “came as a shock”.
Judge Lawson noted McGillien suffers “ongoing chronic back pain”.
“Pain has come to dominate your life,” she said.
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McGillien pleaded guilty to cultivating a commercial quantity of marijuana, and theft. He was sentenced in the County Court on October 21 to two years and three months’ prison with a non-parole period of nine months.
He also had to forfeit his $400,000 ownership share in the Berwick home and payback almost $8,000 to Energy Australia.