Stephan Hrvojevic convicted a second time of drug trafficking after $30,000 cocaine haul found

A young Tasmanian painter and club footballer was busted with a shopping bag containing nearly $20,000 cash and cocaine worth $30,000, a court has heard. Damningly, it was not his first drug trafficking foray.

Longford man Stephan Mark Hrvojevic, 25. Picture: Facebook

A young Tasmanian painter and club footballer who was busted in possession of nearly $20,000 cash in a shopping bag and cocaine worth $30,000 has avoided jail, despite it not being the first time he set up drug shop.

Longford man Stephan Mark Hrvojevic, 25, previously pleaded guilty in the Launceston Supreme Court to one count each of trafficking in a controlled substance and dealing with proceeds of crime. He was sentenced by Justice Robert Pearce on Thursday.

The court heard that on November 12, 2021, at a roadhouse near Kempton, Hrvojevic’s vehicle was searched by police.

Officers uncovered $19,700 cash in a shopping bag – only $4700 of which was proceeds of crime, with the remainder accepted by the court as being for purchasing a motorcycle – and 86.79g of cocaine.

They also found two mobile phones, one of which contained messages that discussed cocaine sales or planned sales.

Hrvojevic admitted to police he had started selling cocaine to friends, and had purchased several ounces of cocaine from an unnamed man on three or four occasions to on-sell.

Hrvojevic said he turned to dealing due to financial pressure he was under to maintain mortgage repayments on a property he owned.

Justice Pearce told the court there were several factors in Hrvojevic’s favour – his early guilty plea, admissions to police, good work history as a blaster painter, family support, and his participation in Australian rules – but there existed a damaging black mark.

In February 2018, Hrvojevic was sentenced to 11 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended, and community service for trafficking “considerable quantities” of MDMA when aged 18 or 19.

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“You did not learn your lesson,” Justice Pearce said.

“The message did not sink in.”

Justice Pearce said that while Hrvojevic was suitable for a home detention order, this would not be possible his work commitments. Hrvojevic works regularly at Savage River, where electronic monitoring is not possible.

Justice Pearce said it was with “some hesitation” he would allow Hrvojevic to remain in the community.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for an operational period of two years. Hrvojevic was also ordered to perform 240 hours of community service, the maximum number of hours that can be legally imposed.

The $4700 and the mobile phone on which the incriminating messages were found were both forfeited.