Gordonvale painter, Bradley James Berridge, 37, caught with 699g of cannabis, steroids, and ‘pen-gun’ in raid

A Cairns tradie has avoided jail time after a police raid of his south side home revealed almost 700g of cannabis, steroids, and prescription medications.

Gordonvale man Bradley James Berridge, 37, who owns B & B painting contractors, pleaded guilty to nine charges in Cairns Magistrates court on Wednesday including drug possession, possession of a restricted firearm and ammunition and possession of a taser. Photo: Instagram

A Cairns tradie has avoided jail time after a police raid of his southside home revealed almost 700g of cannabis, steroids, and prescription medications — which he said was for personal use — as well as a handmade firearm locked in a safe.

Gordonvale man Bradley James Berridge, 37, who owns B & B Painting Contractors, pleaded guilty to nine charges in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday including drug possession, possession of a restricted firearm and ammunition and possession of a taser.

Gordonvale man Bradley James Berridge, 37, who owns B & B painting contractors, pleaded guilty to nine charges in Cairns Magistrates court on Wednesday including drug possession, possession of a restricted firearm and ammunition and possession of a taser. Photo: Facebook

Police prosecutor Tara Nona told the court a raid was conducted at Berridge’s home by detectives from the Major and Organised Crime Squad in November last year.

“The defendant immediately declared he had marijuana and steroids in his bedroom,” she said.

A search of the home uncovered 699g of cannabis, Human Growth Hormone, vials of testosterone, 55 Diazepam tablets, 41 Anadrol tablets (a synthetic anabolic steroid) and six Tadalafil tablets — an erectile dysfunction medication also known as Cialis.

Berridge did not hold prescriptions for any of the restricted medications and told police all the items were for personal use.

The amount of cannabis that was seized would usually see the charges passed through to the higher courts.

However the prosecution did not make any submissions that the restricted drug was for commercial use with Berridge telling police he bought in bulk and separated and packaged amounts to ensure he knows how much he is consuming.

Ms Nona told the court a further search of a wardrobe uncovered a handmade handgun, also known as a “pen-gun”, in a safe alongside ten rounds of ammunition and a taser.

An example of a 'pen gun' a small firearm which fires a small calibre bullet. Photo: Reddit

Berridge told police he had possessed the gun for “a few years” and had never fired it.

Berridge’s defence counsel Bebe Mellick told the court that his client made full admissions and “didn’t hold anything back”.

He said Berridge obtained the pharmaceutical drugs through the mail after purchasing them online and sourced the cannabis locally.

Magistrate Terence Browne told Berridge he “was mature man and he should know better” and said that the items were banned because they were dangerous.

Mr Browne ultimately spared the father of one a jail sentence and instead fined him $2500.

Originally published as Gordonvale painter, Bradley James Berridge, 37, caught with 699g of cannabis, steroids, and ‘pen-gun’ in raid