Terry Manusina: Cobblebank trafficker sentenced over cannabis bust

A Cobblebank labourer was “passed out” from smoking cannabis when police raided a Kings Park property and busted him with a haul of drugs.

A Cobblebank labourer who was caught fast asleep during a police raid in search of drugs has been jailed on trafficking charges.

Terry Manusina, 25, faced the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for sentencing after pleading guilty to trafficking cannabis and dealings with proceeds of crime.

The court heard Manusina had “passed out” after smoking cannabis at a property on Centenary Ct in Kings Park, where he had been assisting an acquaintance to “chop up” cannabis for sale.

His lawyer, Sally Buckley, said her client had only woken up from the stupor as police raided the home on January 31.

“He has been charged with single date trafficking, his role was only to help chop up on that day,” she said.

A black tub containing 5.24kg of cannabis was found at the Kings Park property. Picture: Victoria Police.

Police prosecutors told the court 10.3kg of cannabis had been seized from the property which had been harvested and prepared in containers for sale.

Sentencing the young man, magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said his lengthy criminal history didn’t “instil any confidence”.

“You’ve been given major opportunities in the past to address your issues and stay out of trouble,” he said.

“Each time you come up impressing people … that you really are willing to do it this time. Well I don’t judge people on what they say I judge them on what they do.”

Manusina was jailed for six months and will be placed on an 18 month community corrections order when released with 200 hours of community service.