Bradley David Hill and Keas Ray Hill sentenced for drug trafficking

A convicted murderer “cynically and wickedly manipulated” his son into a Lotus Glen drug smuggling trade as he collected 10 times the asking street price for the drug, a court has heard.

Buprenorphine, an opiate, was sold for 10 times the asking street price during the prison operation, the court heard.

A convicted murderer “cynically and wickedly manipulated” his son into a Lotus Glen drug smuggling trade as he collected 10 times the asking street price for the drug, a court has heard.

Bradley David Hill, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful trafficking of a dangerous drug called buprenorphine — an opiate often traded under the brand name Suboxone.

His son Keas Ray Hill, 23, also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful trafficking.

In 2013 Keas’ father and his mother Kerryn Ann Young were convicted of murder after delivering a deliberately lethal dose of heroin in syringe to unsuspecting Gladstone debt-heavy drug addict Luke McAuliffe, who believed he was getting a smaller dose of methamphetamine.

Staff escort prisoners through Queensland; Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. Picture: Daniel Soekov for Human Rights Watch

Bradley Hill is still serving life imprisonment for that murder and is now in Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.

In early 2021, he worked out how drugs were supplied into the prison through a criminal consortium within the prison’s walls.

The court heard he decided he would branch out and start his own drug trafficking business.

The drug, also known as “bupe”, was sourced from the street by Keas Hill and then smuggled into the prison via prisoner visitors or hidden in mail disguised as lawyer’s letters.

Money would then be deposited into Bradley Hill’s bank account.

The “subby strips”, which go for between $10 and $20 a strip on the street, were sold for around $250 each.

A police investigation involving recorded telephone calls that picked up on code words, Australian Post parcel intercepts, search warrants and witness statements uncovered the operation.

Buprenorphine has a high value for illicit use in the prison system. Picture: Supplied

The court heard the prosecution were unable to determine exactly how much of the drug the Hill’s sold, but knew Bradley Hill had money deposited into his accounts from 30 different people.

In sentencing Bradley Hill, Judge Fantin told the man he had already “failed” Keas and his other sons earlier in their lives.

“Then when he was 20, you recruited your son,” she said to Bradley Hill as he appeared by videolink from Lotus Glen.

“Keas was a young man who had a very limited and relevant criminal history. It is a significant aggravated feature for you, Bradley, that you cynically and wickedly manipulated your own son into being involved in this operation.”

Lotus Glen prison, where the drug operation took place. Picture: Supplied.

In sentencing Keas, Judge Fantin said she noted the 23-year-old had a limited criminal history, had worked consistently since early 2022 and received three glowing references from his Gladstone co-workers.

“You were supported in court by your partner with whom you have an infant son who is four months old,” she told him.

“If you want your infant son to have a better life, a better childhood than you had, then you need to do everything you can not to replicate your father’s life, to demonstrate by your own behaviour that you are your own man.”

She sentenced Keas to two years and six months imprisonment, with an immediate parole release.

Judge Tracy Fantin sentenced Bradley Hill to five years and six months imprisonment with a parole eligibility release date of March 27, 2029.

“Listen carefully Keas,” Judge Fantin said.

“Your father has ruined his own life. Don’t let him ruin yours.

“You’ve already let him drag you into his skin. The less you have to do with your father, the better.”

Originally published as Bradley David Hill and Keas Ray Hill sentenced for drug trafficking