‘Family business’: Mum and son jailed for trafficking and dealing drugs

A family drug dealing business in Oakey has run dry after a mother and son team were locked up after police uncovered their illegal cannabis business.

(Photo: FILE/ Robyn Beck / AFP)

A mother and son team caught selling and trafficking cannabis to Darling Downs users and dealers have been jailed.

The Oakey pair Joshua Ellsum, 38, and Vicki Gai Ellsum, 66, fronted Toowoomba District Court for sentencing on Friday May 17, 2024.

Mr Ellsum pleaded guilty to trafficking and supplying cannabis, and his mother pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis.

The court heard the pair profitably sold and trafficked cannabis hundreds of times throughout a six-month period in 2022 to more than 40 customers.

The Toowoomba Court House.

On two occasions within one month, the court heard Ellsum asked his mother to transfer about $10,500, which she had the means to do.

Despite Ms Ellsum’s legal team submitting she was “misguided” as to the seriousness of her actions, and was just “helping her son,” the submission was highly scrutinised.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC said extensive communications between the pair on the running and organisation of what they referred to as “the family business” and her active monitoring of police actively showed Mr Ellsum was fully aware of her crimes.

Judge Horneman-Wren SC said after police raided their respective homes, they continued to run their business and spoke of handing the reigns over to an acquaintance called “Buster”.

He noted during the business, Mr Ellsum coached and reemployed other people to sell illegal drugs which was particularly egregious.

Mr Ellsum was sentenced to a three year jail term, and will be eligible for release on parole on November 17, 2024.

Ms Ellsum was sentenced to a two and a half year jail term, which will be suspended after she serves three months behind bars.

Once released, she will be subjected to a three year suspended sentence.