Benjamin Jetnikoff, 51, pleads guilty to stashing meth, cannabis, narcotics

Six months after a Toowoomba man was caught with commercial quantities of meth, a further raid uncovered even more illicit substances scattered throughout the home.

Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

A Toowoomba man found with nearly $10,000 cash, prescription opioids and commercial quantities of methylamphetamine stashed in his home promised to change his ways.

Benjamin Phillip Jetnikoff pleaded guilty before Toowoomba Supreme Court on Wednesday to multiple drug offences after police raided his extensive stash of illegal narcotics and other dangerous drugs.

The court heard police conducted a search of Jetnikoff’s home on May 15, 2023 which uncovered close to $10,000 stashed under the mattress and in a black bag, nine clip seal bags containing 20.83 grams of pure methylamphetamine.

Police also found two vials containing around 20 grams of 1,4 butanediol, commonly used as a date rape drug, 0.8 grams of cocaine and 94 grams of cannabis, separated into 14 bags.

Prosecution accepted the quantities of 1,4 butanediol and cannabis were for personal use but argued the methylamphetamine and cocaine were for commercial purposes.

Several months later, while Jetnikoff was on bail for possession charges, police again raided his home.

The court heard a further 6.68 grams of pure methylamphetamine, 14 grams of cannabis, 12 tablets of oxycodone and 128 tablets of prescription opioids were found in Jetnikoff’s possession.

Prosecution argued there were commercial quantities of substances, however; conceded Jetnikoff likely also possessed methylamphetamine for personal use.

Defence barrister Tristan Carlos, instructed by Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers, said Jetnikoff had a long history of drug addiction.

“He has had a long standing addiction to dangerous drugs, particularly meth commencing in the mid-90s,” Mr Carlos said.

He added, while Jetnikoff did have a criminal history, he had abstained from offending for a large period of time.

“Drug addiction is certainly not linear,” he said.

“This is a man that, despite the chronicity of his drug use, has been able to have long periods of time in the community where he can remain offence free.

“He instructs me that he’s desirous of having a life in the community where he’s free of drugs.

“While we are not naive to the fact that there are drugs within correctional centres, he tells me he has not used dangerous drugs.”

Justice Catherine Muir warned Jetnikoff not to fall into old habits.

“If you go back out and start using again circumstances where I’m told that you haven’t been for 17 months (in custody), then you can expect to find yourself back in jail,” she said.

“There’s positive aspects that bode well for you hopefully being able to stay the path, staying away from drugs.”

Jetnikoff was sentenced to three years imprisonment and granted immediate parole with one year of pre-sentence custody declared time served.

A further five months and 30 days of pre-sentence custody were taken into account but not declared.