Gracia Evelyn Macasero admits guilt for role in illegal drug syndicate

A hardworking Bentley Park single mother received a weighty sentence for her part in a sophisticated drug trafficking syndicate – for which she was paid $1000 a week, Cairns Supreme Court heard on Tuesday.

A former disability support worker wept as she received a six-and-a-half year sentence for her role in a sizeable drug trafficking operation.

Gracia Evelyn Macasero, 47, played an essential role at the retail end of a sophisticated drug syndicate and pleaded guilty to trafficking over almost a year, and two lesser charges.

Cairns Supreme Court heard there were 109 flights between Cairns and Brisbane in 26 different false names – with Macasero carrying about $30,000 cash each trip, to hand over to Davina Linda Brooks.

When Ms Brooks was intercepted by police in a HiLux with 2.4kg meth on May 24, 2022, Macasero was instructed to fly to Brisbane and give $116,290 to “the big boss” in Ms Brooks’ vehicle at a shopping centre.

Crown prosecutor Shauna Farrelly told the court Ms Brooks always hid the meth inside her body when she made the trips north.

Cairns Supreme Court Justice James Henry said the methamphetamine trafficking between Brisbane and Cairns was a sophisticated and long lasting enterprise. Picture: Supplied

Ms Brooks is facing 23 charges including one count of trafficking, five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful weapons possession, and authority required to possess explosives.

She appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on May 25, 2022, and was remanded in custody.

Her next appearance date is February 23.

Mrs Farrelly said Macasero had no previous criminal history – until she met Ms Brooks.

She received pre-packaged methamphetamine from Ms Brooks and delivered it to customers, collecting money and handing it to Ms Brooks.

She stored the meth in a room at her Charnley Ave house at Bentley Park, which she shared with her 74-year-old mother and a 15-year-old son with an intellectual disability.

For this, she was paid $1000 a week by Ms Brooks.

“Brooks would transport the drug inside her body and deliver it to Macasero,” Mrs Farrelly told the court.

Ms Brooks told Macasero to use encrypted messaging apps, and she made several drug deliveries daily to Cairns customers.

Ms Brooks booked flights for Macasero and sent her images of boarding passes with fake names.

Cairns Supreme Court heard there were 109 flights to and from Cairns and Brisbane with Macasero ferrying about $30,000 in cash on each trip to deliver to Ms Brooks. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Farrelly said Macasero came to police attention when they looked into Brooks’ phone after she was caught with what turned out to be 1.668kg of pure methamphetamine.

Police searched her home and found boxes labelled ‘D’s stuff’.

Defence barrister James Sheridan said Macasero had led a life of service and was a disability support worker for a decade but lost her job because she declined to get a Covid vaccination during the pandemic.

She lost her Blue Card after being charged by police.

He said she was living with her mother, had a 27-year-old son who lived independently but cared for a 15-year-old son with an intellectual disability.

Macasero needed more money and gave therapeutic massages to people including shift workers late at night, Mr Sheridan told the court.

That was how she met Ms Brooks, who offered her meth, and Macasero took very small amounts because she found it helped her fight fatigue.

“She was not so tired all the time,” Mr Sheridan said.

The court heard when Ms Brooks was intercepted by police in a Hilux with 2.4kg meth on May 24, 2022, Macasero was instructed to fly to Brisbane and give $116,290 to “the big boss”. Picture: Supplied

He outlined how Macasero was a devoted mother.

“She became essentially an employee of Brooks … at least she never profit-shared, it was Brooks’ business, the moving force and principal actor was Brooks.”

Justice James Henry said a double digit sentence was in order but there were mitigating factors, including the challenge of organising care for her son while she was in jail.

“It is quite plain you embarked upon assisting here as a means of making money, not supporting a drug habit, it is not suggested you had a dependency, you were using two points a week,” Justice Henry said.

“It was very energetic conduct by you in aid of her business,” he said.

He said it was a significant and long-lasting commercial enterprise.

Cairns Supreme Court heard Macasero and Ms Brooks flew together on about 30 occasions and that Ms Brook arranged boarding passes with fake names. Picture: Brendan Radke

Justice Henry noted when police raided Ms Brooks’ Gold Coast home they found 26g of meth, more than $100,000 cash and valuable gemstones.

“The fact is, you weren’t a street level trafficker, you were aiding a significant operation,” Justice Henry said.

“It is the sheer repetition and duration of the activity which makes this so serious.

“You won’t be able to provide home support to your son while in jail, that will be your fault, not mine,” Justice Henry said.

He imposed a head sentence of six and a half years with a parole eligibility of September 26, 2025.

Justice Henry ordered that Macasero be convicted but not further punished on two lesser charges.

Originally published as Gracia Evelyn Macasero admits guilt for role in illegal drug syndicate