Jason Scarce jailed after using storage facility business to secretly sell pounds of cannabis and firearms
A dealer used his business premises to keep his illegal side hustle away “from prying eyes” until his weed and guns sales caught the attention of undercover cops.
A business owner who facilitated sales of thousands of dollars worth of cannabis and firearms has been locked up for several years.
Jason Scarce, 50, was jailed for over six years after he used his business premises to ensure his illegal side hustle was kept away “from prying eyes”.
During sentencing, the District Court heard Scarce’s offending was detected during an undercover operation conducted by the South Australia Police.
Two undercover operatives rented a shipping container from Scarce at a storage facility that he owned in Lonsdale in August 2021.
In November 2021, Scarce informed the operatives that he had brand-new 9mm pistols arriving from Queensland.
In March 2022, he told the operative that he could “hook him up” with various drugs, including pounds of cannabis.
“You explained that your role in dealing with pounds of cannabis was in effect as a middleman, facilitating deals and taking a cut from the sale,” Judge Geraldine Davison said.
“You said that you would introduce the operatives to a man with pounds of cannabis later.”
On October 26, 2022, Scarce was asked by one of the operatives if he could help him out with six pounds of cannabis.
Scarce informed them that only two pounds were available that night, but the rest could be sourced later.
About 13 minutes later, a man pulled into Scarce’s yard and the operatives purchased two pounds of cannabis for $4600.
Two days later, the other man sold the undercover operatives an additional three pounds of cannabis for $7100.
“Whilst the transaction was taking place, one of the undercover operatives and you spoke about the purchase of a rifle,” Judge Davison said.
The .22 rifle was then sold to them in a nearby location for $3000.
On November 10, 2022, one of the operatives called Scarce and organised a meeting to purchase another firearm.
They attended the Lonsdale premises and Scarce pulled out a black metallic gel blaster that resembled a submachine gun, which he sold to them for $1200.
Scarce pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and supplying firearms.
He was also found guilty of commercial drug trafficking.
The court heard Scarce, a father, ran a furniture wholesale business that ultimately progressed to a factory, five shops, a number of warehouses and sheds.
Judge Davison said Scarce’s role in the operation was “multifaceted” and the quantity of cannabis being traded was significant.
“You ensured that there was a degree of secrecy in relation to the transactions in order to avoid detection,” she said.
“You did this by warning the participants in relation to the presence of others and by providing the containers in which the transactions could take place away from prying eyes.”
Scarce was jailed for six years and 10 months, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.
The sentence was backdated to July 2.
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Originally published as Jason Scarce jailed after using storage facility business to secretly sell pounds of cannabis and firearms
