Accused drug trafficker claims free of meth for two years

A Central Queensland man accused of drug trafficking claims he has been free of methamphetamines for 2.5 years.

Shannon Leo Gellwiler made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 6 after being charged with one count of trafficking a dangerous drug and eight counts of supplying a dangerous drug.

A Central Queensland man accused of drug trafficking claims he has been free of methamphetamines for 2.5 years.

Shannon Leo Gellwiler made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 6 after being charged with one count of trafficking a dangerous drug and eight counts of supplying a dangerous drug.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said Gellwiler was accused of trafficking marijuana and his proposed bail address was in Biloela.

She said Gellwiler was willing to wear a GPS tracking device on his ankle as part of bail conditions.

Ms Legrady said Gellwiler claimed meth was an issue for him but he had not used it in the past 2.5 years.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said Gellwiler was accused of trafficking marijuana for nine months, from July 2020 to April 2021.

“This is significant (alleged) trafficking,” she said.

“It is still concerning he has moved from meth to marijuana.”

Magistrate Jason Schubert said Gellwiler’s five page criminal record had entries for similar offending.

He said Gellwiler was on bail during the alleged trafficking period, for related offences of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing drug utensils.

Mr Schubert said Gellwiler’s history showed he had “complete utter contempt” for the courts.

He said Gellwiler was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences and dismissed his bail application.

Gellwiler was remanded to appear in court on August 18.

Originally published as Accused drug trafficker claims free of meth for two years