Lefterios Hatzigiagkos in Darwin Local Court over ‘sophisticated’ hydroponic set-up

A dummies guide to growing cannabis were among the many items police seized during a Wagaman raid. See why a budding green thumb is in trouble with the courts.

A young budding green-thumb with a dummies guide to growing cannabis built a “sophisticated” hydroponic set-up in his Darwin home.

The Darwin Local Court heard how Lefterios Hatzigiagkos’s hooning adventures through the suburbs led police to his homely drug den.

The 20-year-old appeared before Judge David Woodroffe on October 21 to plead guilty to a range of driving and drug offences.

The court heard the Darwin L-plater led police on a 100km/h chase through suburban streets while intoxicated on booze and cannabis.

Prosecutor Chris Teng said Hatzigiagkos was driving a Holden Commodore when police set off their lights and sirens for a random breath test at 7.40pm, Friday, November 5, 2021.

Instead of stopping the L-platter jetted down Vanderlin Dr towards Malak.

Lefterios Hatzigiagkos, 20, leaving Darwin Local Court after pleading to a range of drug and driving charges.

Mr Teng said other drivers had to slam the brakes as the 20-year-old sped down the road.

Three hours later police spotted Hatzigiagkos again, as he flashed by at 100km/h in a Wagaman residential zone.

Mr Teng said when police rocked up at the 20-year-old’s door he made “spontaneous admissions”.

He tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive in cannabis, and blew a 0.027 BAC.

Six months later and police were at his door again, this time as a Strike Force Trident raid in June 2022.

There they found a “sophisticated” hydropic set-up in the Wagaman home, along with large cannabis plants and a book on how to grow cannabis.

Police seized the drugs, which were stuffed in tupperware jars, tins, vacuum sealed bags and dime bags.

His defence lawyer said Hatzigiagkos had behavioural issues, a mild intellectual disability, and dropped out of high school at Year 10.

He said the young man’s first seven days in custody were a “huge eye opener”.

“It really hit home hard,” he said.

“He genuinely does want to change and live a pro-social life”

The learner driver pleaded guilty to drunk and drug driving, failing to obey the directions of a police officer, speeding and dangerous driving in a pursuit.

He was also charged for not showing his L-plates or having a driver in the front seat.

Hatzigiagkos also pleaded guilty to possessing and supplying drugs, cultivating cannabis, possessing a prohibited weapon, and possessing property in the commission of an offence.

Mr Woodroffe adjourned the case to November 11 for a sentencing hearing.

His bail was continued.