Michael William Brown in Maroochydore court for growing weed at Lake Macdonald

A Sunshine Coast dad who was trading weed for seafood has faced court for growing 94 weed plants on his rural property. Find out what else police found.

A Lake Macdonald father-of-two was caught running a “semi-sophisticated” drug operation with a total of 94 marijuana plants growing in his backyard, a court has heard.

Michael William Brown, now 59, was given 12 months’ prison suspended immediately for 12 months in Maroochydore District Court on June 13, 2022.

The court heard police searched Brown’s Lake Macdonald rural property and found 94 marijuana plants at varying maturities in his backyard.

Officers found several growing houses and greenhouses equipped with watering systems, timers, pumps, filters and led lights.

The total weight of the plants, that ranged up to a metre in height, was 7.746kg weight with the roots removed.

Dried marijuana was also found inside the house weighing a total of 1.316kg.

The court heard some of the dried marijuana had been separated into plastic clip seal bags of one ounce quantities.

Michael William Brown leaves Maroochydore District Court.

Cash of $1900 was also found in the pantry alongside some of the marijuana.

Brown admitted to police he had been growing the plants for about two months and that he propagated and nurtured the plants inside before transferring them outside where he planted them in the ground to grow naturally.

Brown said he used a trimmer to remove the leaves and dried them on the racks before using the scales to measure them into one ounce quantities.

He admitted to occasionally selling the drug to his friends but said he didn’t make a profit as he would trade it for fish or prawns.

“It is my submission that the commercial element went slightly higher than what he was willing to admit to,” the crown prosecutor told the court.

Michael William Brown leaves Maroochydore District Court.

Defence barrister Simone Bain said her client had suffered a back injury and used the marijuana to help with the pain.

Ms Bain said Brown had no criminal history and grew up in the Noosa area.

She said he had a good work history and had previously worked as a mechanic.

Ms Bain told the court Brown had two grown children and was married for 13 years.

“He made comprehensive admissions to police … there was a low level of any aspect of commerciality,” Ms Bain said.

“He has now taken proper steps to engage with a GP to use medicinal cannabis.”

Brown pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs, producing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Originally published as Michael William Brown in Maroochydore court for growing weed at Lake Macdonald