Drug dealer Isaac Douglas Netherway’s fate revealed

A Mackay drug dealer has told a court of his “shame” after his phone played a key part in bringing down his marijuana trade.

Isaac Douglas Netherway was sentenced in district court for possession of marijuana and four counts of supplying dangerous drugs. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A Mackay man learnt his fate after police busted him for dealing drugs.

Isaac Douglas Netherway, 28, was at his mum and sister’s house in Rural View on December 29, 2023 when police searched the house and found 8.6g of marijuana.

He was charged with four counts of supplying dangerous drugs and possession of dangerous drugs.

Netherway’s mother and sister were not accused of any wrongdoing.

The court heard police found a phone with messages related to supplying drugs and discussions to exchange marijuana for DMT.

The police found 8.6g of marijuana during the search. Picture: iStock

Defence Barrister Scott McLennan said Netherway told him the drug was referred to as BMD, but clarified it was DMT.

“The prosecution initially alleged that was methamphetamine,” Mr McLennan said.

“That’s been resolved on the basis the drug was unknown so it was essentially treated as an unknown schedule two drug.”

Netherway said he was in a state of shock when police executed the search warrant. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The court heard Netherway discussed exchanging an unknown schedule two drug for marijuana.

One of his customers also reached out to him asking for the price of “green” in reference to marijuana and Netherway informed them of the price.

The court heard Netherway was a heavy cannabis user and Mr McLennan said he was “in a state of shock when police executed a search warrant”.

“He said ‘the shame of it all, it was my mum and sisters house’,” Mr McLennan said.

“He said he’s learned his lesson and he’s sorry for the offending.”

District Court Judge Gregory Lynham said he accepted Netherway’s offences were “low level” and “some of it clearly involved cannabis, some of it involved some other drug”.

“Your supplies were clearly for a commercial purpose giving the quantities and amounts involved,” Judge Lynham said.

The court heard Netherway’s criminal record included an instance of careless driving from Victoria, a common assault offence for pushing a paramedic and a conviction for drug driving.

Isaac Douglas Netherway was sentenced to six months probation after he pleaded guilty to supplying dangerous drugs. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Judge Lynham said it was clear Netherway would benefit from a short period of probation and warned him if he kept using drugs he would be convicted of more serious offences.

“It is said on your behalf you were a heavy cannabis user,” he said

“Drugs destroy lives, cannabis is not a drug people can use safely as much as there might be a public perception to the contrary.

“Any dangerous drug is bad for someone’s health and it often leads to using more serious substances.”

He sentenced Netherway to six months probation during which he could address his “underlying issues” through counselling and other programs.

Convictions were recorded for all charges.

Originally published as Drug dealer Isaac Douglas Netherway’s fate revealed