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LIST: 34 Queensland drug traffickers exposed for their crimes in 2024

The greedy and desperate acts of Queensland’s latest traffickers have been exposed, as they faced courts for peddling “wicked” and “highly destructive” drugs that wreak havoc on our state’s communities.

Justice Graeme Crow said the community “demands” to see drug traffickers spend some time in prison in Queensland. Picture: Annette Dew
Justice Graeme Crow said the community “demands” to see drug traffickers spend some time in prison in Queensland. Picture: Annette Dew

As drugs continue to wreak havoc on Queensland communities, we unmask the traffickers who have faced court this year for peddling the “wicked” and “highly destructive” substances.

Queensland Police have recorded more than 400,000 drug offences across the state from January to August this year – consistently recording more than 50,000 offences each month.

Justice Graeme Crow said in Rockhampton Supreme Court earlier this year that drug trafficking offences “generally speaking” resulted in offenders spending some time in custody.

“It’s an unusual case that they don’t. The community demands that,” he said.

Drug trafficking in Queensland carries a maximum penalty of 25 years for schedule 1 drugs – such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin – and 20 years for schedule 1 drugs, such as cannabis.

See the acts of greed and desperation that led Queensland’s most recently convicted drug traffickers to face court:

Rockhampton’s Amy Melissa Alderson.
Rockhampton’s Amy Melissa Alderson.

Amy Melissa Alderson - Rockhampton

The mother-of-two trafficked 315.7g meth to 36 customers over just two months in 2022.

The Rockhampton Supreme Court heard at Alderson’s sentence in April that her largest supply was “an incredible” 140g for $37,500.

She had been on bail, parole, and a suspended sentence at the time.

When police intercepted her driving in August 2022, they found her passenger had “poorly” stashed 72.967g pure meth in 101.467g of substance under his scrotum, the court was told.

The court heard Alderson had been diagnosed with stage two cancer, and would undergo most of her treatment in jail.

She pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to six years in jail.

Parole eligibility was set for December 2024, with 364 days in presentence custody declared time already served.

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Javarne Noel Francis Baker was sentenced in Townsville District Court for marijuana trafficking
Javarne Noel Francis Baker was sentenced in Townsville District Court for marijuana trafficking

Javarne Noel Francis Baker - Townsville 

Baker sold more than 20kg of cannabis to street level dealers in a desperate attempt to make money.

The Townsville District Court heard Baker had been unemployed, but made a $40,000 profit in just two months from 2021 to 2022.

Police uncovered the offending through phone intercepts and uncovered 8.3g of cannabis at Baker’s property.

When Baker faced sentence in February, the court was told he had not reoffended in the two years since he had been charged.

Baker pleaded guilty to the trafficking and was sentenced to three years jail, with parole release in February 2025.

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Jake Thomas Barrientos leaves Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, July 22. Photo: Steve Pohlner
Jake Thomas Barrientos leaves Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, July 22. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Jake Thomas Barrientos - Brisbane

Barrientos, a former Brisbane Grammar valedictorian, pleaded guilty at age 22 to trafficking cannabis and on one occasion, Xanax.

He used encrypted apps and Snapchat to communicate with his 40 customers, supplying quantities from 1.2g to 14g.

The Brisbane Supreme Court was told that Barrientos had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which Judge Nathan Jarro said reduced his moral culpability.

Barrientos had commenced an engineering degree at UQ in 2020 but later withdrew due to the pandemic, along with drug use and mental health issues.

At the time of his sentence, he was working five days a week at his parents’ doggie daycare business and had aspirations of qualifying as a dog groomer.

Judge Jarro warned him not to squander the opportunities before him and the support of his parents.

Barrientos was sentenced to two years jail, wholly suspended.

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Timothy Daryl Barron
Timothy Daryl Barron

Timothy Daryl Barron - Rockhampton

The power station supervisor trafficked cocaine and cannabis to his mining colleagues, friends and family.

It was estimated at Barron’s sentence in July that he had sold 3.727kg of cannabis for $46,580 and 24g of cocaine for at least $10,800.

The court heard Barron had trafficked to support his cocaine addiction and buy things for his wife and three children.

But since his arrest, he had “reconstructed his and his family’s life” and stopped using drugs.

Barron pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking and was sentenced to four years jail, suspended after he serves six months.

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Ben Foran. Picture: Liam Kidston
Ben Foran. Picture: Liam Kidston

Benjamin James Foran - Brisbane

Foran was busted using encrypted apps and social media to traffic in wholesale amounts of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.

The Brisbane Supreme Court heard Foran was only 18 when he trafficked drugs throughout a seven-month period in 2021.

He sold the drugs over encrypted apps Signal, Threema and Telegram, as well as Instagram and Snapchat.

Foran’s offending involved 105 supplies to seven customers – including selling high quality “pearl” cocaine for up to $14,00 an ounce.

The court heard he started using drugs after becoming involved in Brisbane’s nightclub scene, and started using ketamine daily.

Foran pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended.

He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of community service for lesser charges.

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Astrid Jean Forrester-Turner faced Gympie Magistrates Court for trafficking dangerous drugs.
Astrid Jean Forrester-Turner faced Gympie Magistrates Court for trafficking dangerous drugs.

Astrid Jean Forrester Turner - Gympie

The Gympie mum-of-three supplied to 12 customers at a street level of two months in 2022.

Forrester Turner had trafficked in quantities of up to 10g and kept a “tick list” of transactions on her phone, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard at her sentence in April.

Police uncovered her offending after pulling her over at a car park and finding a quantity of meth inside her handbag.

The court was told Forrester Turner had “relapsed into drug use” after suffering postnatal depression.

She had “very limited” criminal history and had been drug free for a year at the time of her sentence, the court heard.

Forrester Turner pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to three years jail.

She was granted immediate parole release, having served 66 days in presentence custody.

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Ashleigh Margaret Hamerton.
Ashleigh Margaret Hamerton.

Ashleigh Margaret Hamerton - Bundaberg

The Bundaberg mum trafficked to at least 45 customers at a street level for eight months in 2020 and 2021.

When police raided her Burnett Heads home, they found over 7g of pure methamphetamine, along with scales and clipseal bags.

Hamerton was paid $46,536 across 160 transactions, the Bundaberg Supreme Court heard at her sentencing.

Hamerton’s spiral into drug use and trafficking had been triggered by domestic violence, the court heard.

Justice Graeme Crow was critical of references speaking highly of Hamerton.

He explained he “devalued” any reference speaking “in glowing terms” when the defendant was “out there facilitating drugs which are known to be super highly addictive, super highly destructive”.

“I see children bashed to death by meth addicts, and these people are selling this (drug) and they’re genuine loving people?”

Hamerton pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to six years in jail, with parole eligibility after nine months.

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Jamie Hanks
Jamie Hanks

Jamie Matthew Hanks - Bundaberg

Hanks pleaded guilty at age 21 to trafficking and producing cannabis.

He had trafficked cannabis for approximately seven months in 2022 and 2023.

Hanks had supplied to up to 20 people, and was found to have also sold diazepam and a 3.5g ball of MDMA.

Police searched his Bundaberg residence in July 2023 and uncovered five cannabis plants and small quantities of the drug.

Hanks had started using drugs after struggling with mental health issues, but had been sober for two months prior to his sentence in May.

He was sentenced to two years jail, wholly suspended for three years.

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Lawson Hayles leaves Brisbane Supreme Court on April 4, 2024. Picture: John Gass
Lawson Hayles leaves Brisbane Supreme Court on April 4, 2024. Picture: John Gass

Lawson Gerard Hayles - Brisbane

The ex-pro surfer helped a drug syndicate sell $467,795 worth of drugs, but walked free from the Brisbane Supreme Court in April on a suspended sentence.

The court heard Hayles was part of a syndicate that made over 500 cocaine and ice sales to at least 200 customers over a year in 2019 and 2020.

Prosecutor Patrick Wilson said Hayles was “more than a mere courier” but that it was difficult to place his level in the syndicate’s hierarchy.

Defence barrister Matthew Hynes said his client had had a gun held to his head to force him to take part in selling drugs.

He said Hayles had been burned with hot irons and had his eye socket fractured with a hammer by individuals who broke into his boxing gym in October 2022.

Mr Hynes said Hayles had also been threatened on the week of his sentencing that he would be sexually violated if he is jailed.

Justice Callaghan accepted there was a “real risk” of Hayles “suffering further violence” if jailed.

Hayles was given a wholly-suspended five year sentence after he pleaded guilty to the trafficking.

FULL STORY

Craig Lawrence Heinecke
Craig Lawrence Heinecke

Craig Heinecke - Sunshine Coast

Heinecke was busted with $140,000 worth of meth inside his car and Golden Beach home when police raided him in October 2022.

The Brisbane Supreme Court heard a battery case inside his car bonnet had contained a heat sealed bag containing 227 pure meth inside 299g of substance.

A search of his phone found he had supplied meth on 27 occasions to 11 customers in the two months prior to the search.

The deals ranged between $400 to $6200.

Heinecke had trafficked the drugs while on parole for drug dealing offences, but the court was told he had since made efforts to rehabilitate.

He pleaded guilty to the trafficking and was sentenced to seven years jail.

Heinecke will be eligible for parole in March 2025, with 232 days in presentence custody declared time-served.

FULL STORY

Bradley David Hill and Keas Ray Hill - Cairns

Convicted murderer Bradley Hill “wickedly manipulated” his son Keas to assist with a drug smuggling operation at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.

Bradley Hill, alongside Keas’s mother Kerryn Ann Young, was convicted of murder in 2013 after deliberately delivering a lethal dose of heroin to debt-heavy drug addict Luke McAuliffe.

He was serving his life sentence at Lotus Glen in 2021 when he recruited Keas, 20 at the time, to source and smuggle buprenorphine into the jail.

The older Hill would then sell the “subby strips”, which would go for $10 to $20 on the street, for around $250 each.

The father and son each pleaded guilty in August to one count of drug trafficking.

Bradley Hill was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment, with parole eligibility in March, 2029.

Keas Hill was sentenced to two years and six months jail with immediate parole release.

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Tristen Jayde Hounslow
Tristen Jayde Hounslow

Tristen Jayde Hounslow - Cairns

The Toowoomba man trafficked buprenorphine into Lotus Glen while serving an eight year sentence for manslaughter.

Hounslow had stabbed Joel Walters, 31, in the leg during a botched drug deal in 2013, lacerating arteries that led to fatal blood loss.

Hounslow later became involved in the trafficking while serving the “twilight years” of his jail sentence, the Cairns District Court was told.

He had received $17,500 for 110 drug-related transactions involving 48 customers.

Hounslow pleaded guilty to the trafficking in April and was sentenced to three years in jail with immediate parole.

One year out of his 562 days in presentence custody was declared as time-served

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Trent Charles Langley.
Trent Charles Langley.

Trent Charles Langley - Rockhampton

Langley started trafficking meth as soon as he was released from prison in September 2022 for other drug offences, the Rockhampton Supreme Court was told.

The “heavily using” drug addict supplied to 20 to 30 people over a four-month period following his release, with supplies ranging between 0.1g to 3.5g.

Police found Langley in possession of $21,480 in cash when they intercepted him on the Capricorn Highway in January 2023.

They later searched Langley’s residence and uncovered a further $4015, along with 9.991g of meth in 13.322g of substance.

The court heard Langley had since completed “every program available to him” while remanded in custody.

He pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to three years jail, wholly suspended, along with 12 months probation.

His 544 days in presentence custody were taken into account but not declared time-served.

FULL STORY

Matthew James Long
Matthew James Long

Matthew James Long - Sunshine Coast

Long trafficked cocaine through his Sunshine Coast boxing gym for a year across 2020 and 2021.

He had struggled with cocaine use during his 20s and moved to Noosa for a fresh start – but he relapsed during the pandemic due to financial and mental health strains.

The Maroochydore District Court heard how Long supplied amounts ranging from 1g to 3g on 39 occasions.

Barrister Angus Edwards said Long had used his time on bail for the trafficking wisely by working on his rehabilitation and moving to northern NSW, where he now ran his own building company.

Long pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to five years in jail, to be suspended after he serves 12 months in actual custody.

FULL STORY

Gracia Evelyn Macasero - Cairns

The former disability support worker was paid $1000 a week to store meth at her Bentley Park Home and carry cash for a sophisticated drug syndicate.

Macasero flew between Cairns and Brisbane on 109 occasions, under 26 false names, transporting $30,000 cash each trip.

The Cairns Supreme Court heard Macasero had lost her job in disability support during Covid after she declined to be vaccinated.

Justice James Henry said it was clear Macasero became involved in the trafficking as a means of making money.

Macasero was a single mother and lived with both her 74-year old mum and her son with an intellectual disability.

She pleaded guilty in February to trafficking, along with two lesser charges, and was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail.

She will be eligible for parole in September 2025.

FULL STORY

Joshua Peter Moore outside the Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: Tertius Pickard
Joshua Peter Moore outside the Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Joshua Peter Moore - Brisbane

Moore was the boss of a drug ring that trafficked cocaine from New South Wales, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard at his sentence in May.

Deliveries of 3.6kg cocaine were made on nine occasions to Moore’s Seven Hills home between June and August 2021.

Moore would sell the drug across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, on one occasion selling up to 1kg for $230,000.

The court heard police found “trappings of wealth from his drug trafficking” at Moore’s home including a jet ski, a Rolex watch, and $111,000 in his Lamborghini.

Moore pleaded guilty to the trafficking and was sentenced to nine years in jail.

He is currently incarcerated at Palen Creek, awaiting a parole eligibility date of April 18, 2028.

FULL STORY

Emerald's William ‘Billy’ Francis Neasey trafficked methamphetamines between May 3 and September 19, 2023
Emerald's William ‘Billy’ Francis Neasey trafficked methamphetamines between May 3 and September 19, 2023

William ‘Billy’ Neasey and Matthew Shambler - Rockhampton

The duo faced the Rockhampton Supreme Court in August for their involvement in a Central Highlands meth trafficking enterprise.

The court heard Shambler knew the woman alleged to have been the principal trafficker.

The woman allegedly engaged Neasey and Shambler to assist her in “pursuing outstanding debts,” the court was told.

Neasey trafficked to 30 customers for around four months in 2023, and Shambler trafficked for around five months the same year.

The men pleaded guilty to one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, along with other offences.

Neasey was sentenced to four-and-a-half years jail, wholly suspended after his 337 days in presentence custody.

Shambler was sentenced to four-and-a-half years jail, to be suspended after 12 months in custody.

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Billie-Jo Nolan pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Supreme Court to drug trafficking offences.
Billie-Jo Nolan pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Supreme Court to drug trafficking offences.

Billie-Jo Nolan - Rockhampton

The young mum received a wholly suspended five-year jail term in April, in what Judge Graeme Crow acknowledged was a “rarely done” outcome.

Nolan trafficked meth to eight customers over a three-month period in 2022.

She made full admissions to police, who had only been alleging a 20 day trafficking period prior to her disclosures.

The court heard Nolan had told them “it was just easy” to make money selling meth.

The mother of two had started using drugs at a young age, but had tendered 15 clear drug tests to the court since February 2023.

“Generally speaking … those trafficking in dangerous drugs go to prison, it’s an usual case that they don’t,” Judge Crow told Nolan.

Nolan pleaded guilty at age 24 to drug trafficking, drug supply, and possessing more than 2g of meth.

FULL STORY

Cairns father-of-two Craig Phillips
Cairns father-of-two Craig Phillips

Craig Elliott Phillips - Cairns

Phillips pleaded guilty to trafficking meth at Cairns Supreme Court in June.

The court was told Phillips had a relatively small role conducting “drug runs” for a large wholesale operation after he was allegedly “sucked into his (co-accused’s) lifestyle”.

Phillips, who only completed five runs, would pick up 250g parcels of meth and sell it for $12,000 an ounce.

The court heard he sold in small amounts to street users, as well as wholesale deals.

Phillips pleaded guilty to trafficking and was sentenced to seven years in jail.

He will be eligible for parole on December 9, 2025.

FULL STORY

Adrian Roy Price and Amy Gai Price - Townsville

This married couple faced Townsville Supreme Court hand-in-hand in May for trafficking meth.

Mr and Mrs Price came to the police’s attention in 2020 when Australia Post detected a parcel ordered from the United States containing 302.49g of pure methamphetamine.

The court heard the meth, which had been ordered by Mr Price, had a street value of up to $500,000.

Through telephone monitoring, the police uncovered that the couple had been trafficking meth for six months to 28 customers, who owed them at least $113,000.

The court heard Mr Price had also obtained instructions on how to produce meth, along with the relevant materials required to make up to 4kg of the drug.

He pleaded guilty to trafficking dangerous drugs, along with other drug charges including producing dangerous drugs.

He was sentenced to five and a half years jail with parole eligibility in December 2025.

Mrs Price pleaded guilty to trafficking, supplying, and possessing dangerous drugs and was sentenced to five years jail with parole eligibility in November 2025.

FULL STORY

Bradley Graham Potts
Bradley Graham Potts

Bradley Graham Potts - Brisbane

The former FIFO worker’s life went “completely off the rails” after he was introduced to ice at a party during Covid.

Potts quickly descended into addiction and later became involved in an organised crime syndicate, which smuggled millions of dollars worth of cannabis into Queensland.

Potts was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Brisbane Supreme Court in March, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking.

The 10-year sentence resulted in his offending being declared a serious violent offence – meaning Potts will have to serve 80 per cent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The court was told Potts had operated a street level trafficking business supplying cocaine and meth – for which he was paid $261,750, as of February 2021.

Later that year, he became involved in the syndicate, which trafficked wholesale amounts of cannabis into the state from South Australia.

Potts is currently serving out his sentence at Palen Creek, with 848 days of presentence custody already declared time-served.

FULL STORY

Eve and Shane Rennard
Eve and Shane Rennard

Shane Richard Charles Rennard - Cairns

Rennard, an Instagram-famous bodybuilder fled the country after being charged with trafficking steroids.

The Cairns Supreme Court heard he was originally charged in January 2017 after ordering steroids from China in powder and liquid form, and pressing the substance into 700 tablets.

Rennard made approximately $12,000 from three main customers over a six-month period in 2017, the court was told.

He was originally charged alongside his now ex-wife, then known as Eve Rennard, but absconded to New Zealand – leaving her to face the charges alone.

Rennard’s ex-wife was sentenced to two years jail with immediate parole for her involvement in the trafficking.

Rennard was arrested again this year and pleaded guilty in May to one count each of trafficking, and knowingly or recklessly importing tier one goods.

He was sentenced to three years in jail with parole release on October 15.

FULL STORY

Gold Coast builder Dustin Rodway arrives at the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire
Gold Coast builder Dustin Rodway arrives at the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Dustin William Rodway - Gold Coast

The Gold Coast construction company owner made about $1000 a week trafficking cocaine to his friends, colleagues and associates.

Rodway received a wholly suspended jail term of three-and-a-half years at sentence in May after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

The Brisbane Supreme Court heard how the Pacific Pines father had trafficked cocaine at a street level between October 2021 and January 2022.

Rodway had told the drugs via a social media app where messages would disappear after a certain period, the court was told.

Police uncovered his offending after raiding his home and locating more than 7g of cocaine along with steroid-like drugs, phones, scales, and clipseal bags.

Justice Melanie Hindman said Rodway had been using drugs at the time, and called the offending an “aberration” in Rodway’s life.

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Cody Liam Saran
Cody Liam Saran

Cody Liam Saran - Townsville

Saran was sent straight back to jail the same day he was released on parole, after police searched his home and uncovered his involvement in a major drug enterprise.

The Townsville District Court heard at Saran’s sentence in June how he had assisted another person in trafficking buprenorphine to inmates at Townsville Correctional Centre.

Saran and his co-offender had supplied up to 35 customers between August and November 2022, making a total of $15,885.

Police uncovered the enterprise when they found the co-offender’s handwritten notes hidden inside balloons at Saran’s partner’s home.

Saran’s co-offender Christos Berkovic, who the court heard was the principal offender, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years jail in May.

Saran pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years jail, with parole eligibility on August 29.

The court heard he had experienced a dysfunctional upbringing and had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and a drug dependent disorder.

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Steven Spilly
Steven Spilly

Steven Spilly - Cairns

The Bondi man ran a black market website, trafficking steroids between Sydney and Cairns for 20 months across 2020 and 2021.

The Cairns Supreme Court heard Spilly began dealing steroids after a car accident that led to a loss of income from his businesses.

He operated a website called Aussie Tanks, selling 96 different types of steroidal products, and posted the products to customers after they ordered online.

Justice James Henry described it as an “extremely sophisticated and vigorous operation” which involved setting up two shell companies and PO boxes with fake names.

Justice Henry said authorities were unable to pinpoint the exact profits, but that the website had garnered proceeds of more than $900,000.

He said the business had “spiralled into something big, perhaps bigger than (Spilly) anticipated”.

Spilly pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to four years and nine months in jail.

He is currently in custody at Lotus Glen.

FULL STORY

Toowoomba woman Kim Maree Sutton
Toowoomba woman Kim Maree Sutton

Kim Maree Sutton - Goondiwindi

Sutton was on the run from police for over a year after she failed to show up to her sentence in 2022, Toowoomba Supreme Court was told at her eventual sentence in April.

The Goondiwindi mum had trafficked meth at a street level between March and June 2020, after developing an addiction to the drug as a teenager.

Sutton told the court at her 2024 sentence that she had absconded from the police for 19 months because she feared going to jail.

She pleaded guilty to carrying on the business of unlawfully trafficking a dangerous drug and was sentenced to three years in jail.

Parole release had been set for April 2025, however, Sutton is not currently listed as an inmate in the Queensland Corrective Services prisoner database.

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Blackwater miner Reece Charles Thompson
Blackwater miner Reece Charles Thompson

Reece Charles Thompson - Rockhampton

The Central Queensland miner carried out a “low level” meth trafficking business for 11 months in 2021 and 2022.

The Rockhampton Supreme Court heard at Thompson’s sentence in February how he made just $6780 in that time, supplying quantities of 0.1 to 0.7 grams.

Thompson had worked in the mining industry for over 20 years, but spiralled into drug use after using it to self medicate a shoulder injury, the court was told.

The court heard his relationship with the mother of his two children had broken down as a result of his drug use.

Thompson pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to three years in jail.

His parole release was set for August 4, and he is no longer in custody.

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Arthur Michael Vella leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.
Arthur Michael Vella leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Arthur Michael Vella - Sunshine Coast

The former My Kitchen Rules contestant faced Maroochydore District Court in April for growing and selling marijuana from his Buderim home.

Vella sold to 35 regular customers over a six-and-a-half month period in 2022, selling to four customers a day at the height of his business.

A police raid in October 2022 uncovered 22 marijuana plants in Vella’s garage, along with hydroponic grow tents, $33,300 in cash, and three pounds of the drug stored in vacuum sealed bags.

The court heard Vella also had laminated instructions for how to grow cannabis on his garage wall.

Defence barrister Simon Lewis said his client had started growing cannabis to assist a relative’s medical condition, along with his own anxiety.

Mr Lewis said Vella had decided to sell the drug to assist with his relative’s medical costs.

Vella pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was sentenced to a suspended two-and-a-half years in jail.

FULL STORY

Jack Wegner was sentenced in the Cairns Supreme Court for trafficking methamphetamine.
Jack Wegner was sentenced in the Cairns Supreme Court for trafficking methamphetamine.

Jack Robert Werner Wegner - Cairns

Wegner was sentenced to 10 years jail in August for trafficking over a million dollars worth of meth.

The Cairns Supreme Court heard how the Gordonvale father, who ran a rendering business, had started up his second “sophisticated wholesale business” to fund his own meth habit.

Wegner trafficked around 4.5kg of meth, worth up to $1.4 million, over an eight-month period in 2022 – while still continuing to operate his legitimate business.

Wegner had started using meth socially, but his use “progressed to a daily event” after his mother’s death from cancer, the court was told.

Justice James Henry said the scale of the offending suggested a “prolonged greed” rather than desperation.

“You made the deliberate choice to pour wholesale amounts of this wicked drug into the Cairns community not just on a couple occasions but over a sustained basis for eight months,” he told Wegner.

Wegner pleaded guilty to the trafficking, and is now serving his sentence at Lotus Glen.

FULL STORY

Adam Christopher White. Photo Steve Pohlner
Adam Christopher White. Photo Steve Pohlner

Adam Christopher White - Brisbane

The ex-bikie president was sentenced to eight years jail in June for smuggling millions of dollars worth of cannabis into Queensland – with partner in crime Bradley Graham Potts.

The Brisbane District Court was told how White, an ex Comanchero bikie and former Bandidos Gold Coast chapter president, had taken a “lead role” in the organised crime syndicate that smuggled indefinite quantities of cannabis from South Australia.

The syndicate hid the drug in a false wall in a trailer attached to a truck, which made five runs into Queensland from August to November 2021.

Police searched the truck after its fifth trip and uncovered 78.32kg of cannabis worth $480,000 in 175 vacuum-sealed bags.

They also uncovered large quantities of cash, including $437,950 hidden in White’s parents home in Carindale.

White appeared in the District Court in Brisbane on Thursday before Judge Anthony Rafter SC, where he was sentenced for trafficking in cannabis and possession of steroids while on parole for other crimes.

Defence barrister Tony Kimmins said his client no longer belonged to a bikie gang.

White is currently serving out his sentence at Woodford.

FULL STORY

Kara Sherylee Wood - Rockhampton

Wood faced Rockhampton Supreme Court in April for trafficking meth and marijuana to mitigate the cost of her own drug habit.

The mum-of three supplied to 20 different customers on a street level from October to December, 2022.

Wood faced court with “serious” offences on her history including drug offences and armed robbery, and she had continued to commit drug offences on bail.

But defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand described his client’s five-and-a-half months in presentence custody as a “blessing in disguise,” as she had abstained from drugs and worked on rehabilitation.

Wood was sentenced to three-and-a-half years jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, along with a number of other drug offences.

She is currently in custody at Numinbah Correctional Centre, awaiting parole release on November 30.

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Originally published as LIST: 34 Queensland drug traffickers exposed for their crimes in 2024

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/bundaberg/police-courts/list-34-queensland-drug-traffickers-exposed-for-their-crimes-in-2024/news-story/ec8569677d3befd05579020b51e02a8a