Lee Micheal Jukic avoids jail after Caloundra cocaine bust

A man with a “fantastic career” was caught with a “substantial amount” of cocaine during a search by a police gang squad.

Lee Micheal Jukic being passed his vape outside Caloundra Magistrates Court.

A man suffering from PTSD was discovered by a police gang squad to have a “substantial amount” of cocaine when he was stopped in his car.

Lee Micheal Jukic, 42, wore a grey suit to his sentencing in Caloundra Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 15 where he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine in a quantity of or exceeding schedule three but less than schedule four, possessing drug utensils, possessing anything used in commission of a crime and contravening an order to provide access to a device.

Police prosecutor Pedau Grabbe said the Sunshine Coast police gang squad had intercepted his vehicle in Caloundra West where he was seen reaching around inside.

The court heard police found 8g of cocaine in a glass case alongside scales and a rolled up $50 note, which both had residue on them.

Three phones were also discovered which are suspected to have been used in connection to the drugs.

It is not alleged Jukic is related to any gang activity, and it is not alleged there was commercial intent behind the drugs.

Lee Micheal Jukic being passed his vape outside Caloundra Magistrates Court.

Senior Constable Grabbe said the purity of the cocaine was unknown, but totalled to a “substantial amount”.

Jukic’s defence lawyer said his client was a “drug dependent person” at the time of the offence due to his circumstances.

He told the court Jukic was facing the prospects of losing a close family member at the time and suffered from severe PTSD.

The lawyer said Jukic has since sought help for his PTSD through a national program.

The court was told Jukic otherwise led a “good life” in the past 25 years, and had built himself a “fantastic career”.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said she accepted Jukic was genuinely remorseful of his offending and there was “no question” he had suffered significantly in the past.

She also noted the circumstances which had triggered a “relapse” into substance abuse.

He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with immediate parole.

Originally published as Lee Micheal Jukic avoids jail after Caloundra cocaine bust