Javarne Noel Francis Baker sentenced in Townsville District Court for marijuana ‘trafficking enterprise’
A man sold more than 20kg of drugs over two months to “street level dealers”, telling a court he was unemployed and desperate for the money.
Townsville
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A father is now behind bars after running what a judge labeled a “cannabis trafficking enterprise” to street level dealers due to being unemployed.
Javarne Noel Francis Baker appeared in Townsville District Court recently after a major police operation that entailed authorities intercepting the 29-year-old’s phone calls exposing the man’s major drug trafficking offences.
Legal officer Terence McCosker said between December 16 in 2021 and February 18, 2022 the man supplied 40 pounds which equates to 20 kilograms of marijuana to 10 repeated customers.
The court was told he made more than $120,000 total in turnover and a $42,000 profit.
“He completed debt collection and used a threat of violence on one occasion,” Mr McCosker said.
The legal officer said Baker informed a customer at one point that he could supply up to 10 pounds of marijuana per week.
During a police search, authorities found 8.3g of marijuana at his property as well as a cryovac machine and unused bags and when confronted Baker told police it was for “personal use”.
Judge William Everson emphasised the man made $40,000 in two months.
“I think it’d be inferred it was pretty lucrative for him,” he said.
Defence barrister Harvey Walters who acknowledged the strong support Baker had in court with family and friends sitting in the back of the courtroom, also submitted a letter of support written by the Mayor of Mornington Island, Kyle Yanner.
“It’s been over two years since he was charged and there has been no re-offending,” Mr Walters said.
“He said he was unemployed and needed the money.”
Judge Everson noted the man’s difficult upbringing while sentencing him.
“It’s clear you were able to successfully trafficking a significant amount of cannabis to supply to street level dealers,” he said.
Baker pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, possessing a thing in connection to trafficking drugs and possessing drugs.
He was sentenced to three years’ jail with a parole release date of February 28, 2025.
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Originally published as Javarne Noel Francis Baker sentenced in Townsville District Court for marijuana ‘trafficking enterprise’
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