Builder Benjamin Weaver pleads guilty to supplying cocaine, steroids

A Sunshine Coast construction company owner’s covert drug deals have been uncovered after a search warrant on another man’s home discovered texts about supplying cocaine and steroids.

Benjamin Donald Weaver leaving Maroochydore District Court on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Turner

A construction company owner has been labelled a “small-time supplier” in court after his covert cocaine and steroid deals were unearthed by police.

Benjamin Donald Weaver came into the crosshairs of police on June 15 last year when police searched his home and uncovered small amounts of meth, steroids and prescription drugs.

Maroochydore District Court heard on Wednesday how the 36-year-old was also found with scales, drug items, a taser and a single round of ammunition.

Barrister Shireen Long, instructed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said Weaver went to the police station voluntarily and was given a notice to appear on the drug charges.

However, the court heard more offences were brought against the Maroochydore man after a separate drug raid at another Sunshine Coast address on August 29 last year.

A phone was seized during the search which uncovered encrypted messages between a man at the address and Weaver which revealed three separate drug deals.

Ms Long said Weaver and the man discussed the supply of a steroid to be delivered by post for an unknown figure on May 31, 2023.

Weaver pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Sam Turner

She told the court Weaver sent the man a picture of cocaine in a ziplock bag on a set of scales which weighed 3.74g on June 1 last year.

The 36-year-old bought the cocaine for $1200 and told the man to send half of that for the man’s share.

Ms Long said another deal was discovered on July 16 last year for 1.75g of cocaine, which was also offered for an unknown amount.

The court heard this final deal took place only a month after the initial raid on his home.

Weaver was intercepted by officers in Maroochydore on September 9, 2023 and was searched. Police located a sunglasses container which contained a pipe and a small amount of drugs including testosterone.

Weaver after his sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

Ms Long said Weaver had previous appearances in court stretching back to 2012, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

She conceded the builder was a “small-time supplier”, and it was unclear whether any profit was made.

Defence barrister Matthew Hynes said Weaver struggled with addiction throughout the years, which deepened after the 36-year-old was injured in a home invasion at 2021.

Mr Hynes said a woman asked to come over to the builder’s address. When she came over there were two other men and Weaver was assaulted.

The court heard he was left with injuries to his face and a stab wound to the back of his head after the attack.

Mr Hynes likened the staples needed to treat Weaver’s face to NSW rugby league player Mick De Vere’s injury in the 2003 State of Origin following a clash with Queensland’s Tonie Carroll.

Weaver’s barrister said the construction company owner abstained from drugs and pushed for a sentence which meant his client would not go into custody.

Audible gasps were heard from Weaver’s supporters in the public gallery when Judge Michael Byrne KC told the builder he would not be sent to jail.

Weaver pleaded guilty to 15 offences including six counts of possessing dangerous drugs and three of supplying drugs, and was jailed for 12 months but given immediate parole.

He was also placed on probation for two years with convictions recorded.

Originally published as Builder Benjamin Weaver pleads guilty to supplying cocaine, steroids