Lucas Kruzic: Diggers Rest man jailed over cannabis grow house

A Melbourne man who blamed Covid for turning his home into a “sophisticated” drug house has been jailed.

A Diggers Rest man has been jailed over a “sophisticated” cannabis grow house which he set up after losing his job because of Covid, a court has heard.

Police uncovered the hydroponic set-up during a raid on the home of Lucas Krusic on July 1, seizing more than 24kg of cannabis including 30 plants and a range of prohibited weapons.

Prosecutor Sgt Lisa Schoemaker told the court 13 plants were found growing in two tents outside.

Another 17 were found inside his Diggers Rest home.

Three zip lock bags containing 832g of dried cannabis were also found at the property.

Krusic was charged with cultivating a narcotic plant, trafficking cannabis and possession of an unregistered firearm, capsicum spray, taser, expandable batons, and a ballistic knife.

He reappeared in the Sunshine Magistrate’s Court on Friday for sentencing.

Defence lawyer Karen Chibert said Krusic felt he had no other options after losing his job.

“Until December 2020 he was working full time but lost his job,” she said.

“He was suffering from an ongoing depressive episode and turned to criminal behaviour to make ends meet.”

Krusic was sentenced to 60 days in jail followed by a 15 month community corrections order.

In sentencing, the magistrate took into account his lack of a criminal record and ongoing PTSD developed after a home invasion more than a decade ago.