Aaron Troy Hassett pleaded guilty to possessing heroin, cocaine, meth, MDMA

A heroin user has tried to lean on his addiction to score a reduced penalty after he was busted with a huge haul of drugs.

Aaron Troy Hassett was busted with 17.811g of heroin in 25.976g of substance, 16.789g of meth in 22.558g of substance, 2.355g of cocaine in 3.085g of substance and 9.841g of MDMA in 13.861g of substance. Photo: John Donegan

A heroin user has tried to lean on his addiction to score a reduced penalty after he was busted with a huge haul of drugs when police raided a Slade Point property.

Aaron Troy Hassett tried to dump his stash by throwing it out a window when police came knocking on January 5, 2024.

But officers heard the smashing glass and then saw the 39 year old running out his bedroom and he was soon caught.

Mackay District Court heard a search of the backyard uncovered 17.811g of heroin in 25.976g of substance, 16.789g of meth in 22.558g of substance, 2.355g of cocaine in 3.085g of substance and 9.841g of MDMA in 13.861g of substance.

Officers also found drug items including four glass pipes, digital scales and $1900 cash, all of which was seized along with two mobile phones and a tablet.

Justice David North accepted there was an enterprise aspect to the drug possession, with mainly the meth, cocaine and MDMA for commercial exploitation.

The court heard Hassett favoured using heroin, with a considerable amount for his own reserve, but Justice North also accepted some of that drug would be sold as well.

Aaron Troy Hassett pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, supplying meth and marijuana and possessing items and money linked to drug offending.

Justice North said the drugs, all of which are schedule one drugs and deemed the most serious, were “drugs of addiction”.

“Addicts and users will go to great lengths to get their hands on either the drugs or money,” Justice North said.

“Hence the association with property crime and sometimes crimes of violence.”

Hassett pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, supplying meth and marijuana and possessing items and money linked to drug offending.

The court heard Hassett tried to show he was legally considered “drug dependant”, which would allow for a reduced penalty.

Crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence argued against the submission, arguing that three years jail did not reflect Hassett’s criminality for recidivism and instead pushing for four years jail.

Justice North also rejected the submission stating he was not satisfied Hassett was drug dependant under the law’s complicated definition, but said there was evidence suggesting Hassett’s long term use – particularly of heroin – had made him an addict.

Barrister Scott McLennan said his client was involved in caring for his brother, who also did have a number of carers, to which Justice North said he was prepared to accept Hassett’s “continued incarceration compromised to some limiting extent his brother’s care”.

Justice North accepted it was an early plea but said Hassett’s conduct in trying to run away did not “bespeak a person inclined towards co-operation”.

Ultimately Hassett was jailed for four years with parole eligibility on May 1, 2025 with 425 days in presentence custody declared time already served. Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Aaron Troy Hassett pleaded guilty to possessing heroin, cocaine, meth, MDMA