Landscaper Douglas Gow, 33, sentenced for possession of 15g of cocaine

A Far North tradie who worked on playgrounds in remote communities has told a court getting caught with almost 15g of cocaine was “the best thing that could have happened to him” after spiralling into drug use.

A Far North tradie who built playgrounds in remote communities has faced drug charges in Supreme Court in Cairns.

A Far North tradie who worked on playgrounds in remote communities has told a court getting caught with almost 15g of cocaine was “the best thing that could have happened to him” after spiralling into drug use.

Douglas Gow, 33, pleaded guilty to two possession charges in Cairns Supreme Court after he was caught with 15g of cocaine and 3.5g of cannabis during a routine traffic stop.

He was also charged with one count of supply after messages on his phone indicated he had provided a friend with a small amount of cannabis.

Crown prosecutor Peter Ah Gee told the court Gow was stopped as part of a drug and alcohol testing operation about 50km west of Mount Garnet.

Gow tested negative to alcohol testing but drug testing indicated he had cannabis and cocaine in his system and because of that he was asked to exit the vehicle and a search was conducted.

“He told police there was a bucket in the back that contained a quantity of cannabis, which he referred to as hooter,” the prosecutor told the court.

A search of the bucket uncovered 14.98g of cocaine in 15 clip seal bags, 3.5g of cannabis, and $2800 in cash.

Douglas Gow, 33, pleaded guilty to two possession charges in the Cairns Supreme Court.

The Crown submitted the volume of cocaine would have a street value of around $5000.

“The defendant told police it was for his own use and not to sell,” the prosecutor said.

“He said he has it there if he goes partying.”

Prosecutions submitted the quantity of cocaine uncovered as well as its manner of packaging suggested there was a split personal and commercial purpose for the possession of the drug.

Defence counsel Bebe Mellick told the court Gow grew up in Mossman working as an air conditioning mechanic before working with his father as a landscaper since branching out on his own.

He told the court Gow now had his own structural landscaping business and worked in remote communities often constructing playgrounds and public amenities.

Mr Mellick said he was travelling back to Cairns after working in Normanton when he was stopped by police.

Mr Mellick initially maintained the possession was for personal use and the cash located with the drugs was simply money he kept on hand in the case of Eftpos not being available in communities he travelled to.

Gow eventually conceded to the Crown’s submission the possession had a split personal and commercial purpose.

“There are an awful lot of places to put cash in your car and you chose to put it with the drugs,” Justice James Henry commented.

Mr Mellick told the court Gow had told him that getting caught “was the best thing that could have happened” as his life was out of control after the breakdown of a long-term relationship.

Justice James Henry ordered Gow pay a fine of $5000 with his convictions recorded.

Originally published as Landscaper Douglas Gow, 33, sentenced for possession of 15g of cocaine