Daniel George Shaw pleads guilty to cannabis, weapons and explosives charges after Capricorn Coast drug bust

Police swooped on a Capricorn Coast property and charged a married father of three and former operator for a drilling company, with drug and weapons offences. Full details here.

Cannabis plants and weapons seized by police in Queensland. Generic image.

A married father of three and former operator for a drilling company has been busted with 12 cannabis plants growing at a Capricorn Coast property.

Daniel George Shaw, 39, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on March 31 to producing cannabis, possessing weapons and explosives, contravening a police order and two counts of breaching bail conditions.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said about 6.05am on February 15, police went to a Pine Mountain Drive property where they executed a search warrant.

Ms Bain said in an enclosed garden patch, about 50m from the main house, police found 12 cannabis plants which ranged in size from 20cm to 80cm.

“The cannabis plants had been potted and appeared to have been fertilised,” Ms Bain said.

“Also growing in the garden were tomatoes, pumpkins and other vegetables.”

Ms Bain said when police asked Shaw about the cannabis plants, he declined to answer any questions.

Also during the search, police found a mobile phone next to Shaw’s bed - it belonged to him.

The court heard police required Shaw to provide access to the phone and he refused to do so, which constituted the contravening a police order charge.

In a shipping container on the property, police found three bolts belonging to a rifle, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition.

Ms Bain said Shaw had declined to answer any questions about these items.

He was subsequently arrested, taken to Yeppoon Police Station, and later released on bail.

The two breach of bail offences related to Shaw failing to report to police as required.

The court heard Shaw had a three-page criminal history.

Solicitor Brian McGowran said Shaw was a married father of three and his wife was currently pregnant.

Mr McGowran said Shaw had previously worked as an operator for a drilling company for “a long while” and he also worked for a panel shop.

The solicitor said Shaw was now self-employed, having financed a bobcat to hire himself out as an operator, but his income had dropped considerably.

Mr McGowran said another man had been residing at Shaw’s property which his wife was not happy about, and it was that man’s influence that led to Shaw having 12 cannabis plants in the yard.

Mr McGowran said Shaw did not understand that it was an offence to not provide police with access to his phone.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Cameron Press noted Shaw had one prior drug entry on his criminal history which was a “considerable history” consisting of mainly violence offences.

Mr Press sentenced Shaw to nine months’ jail, immediately suspended for an operational period of two years.

Shaw was also placed on 15 months’ probation with conditions including a requirement to attend drug counselling and not use illicit drugs, for which he will be tested for.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Daniel George Shaw pleads guilty to cannabis, weapons and explosives charges after Capricorn Coast drug bust