This cocaine was seized when police raided a man’s home in 2024. Photo: ACT Policing.
A friend a man had known since childhood apparently convinced him to join what turned out to be a major drug manufacturing and dealing ring, a court has heard.
After police raided the man’s home in 2024 and discovered a large stash of drugs, he then began writing a book while on remand at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, which he published after being released.
The now-25-year-old author, whom Region has chosen not to name, avoided being returned to jail when he was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday (26 February).
Acting Justice John Burns said the man claimed he became involved in the substantial criminal enterprise through the longstanding relationship he had with a childhood friend.
The acting justice said the man leased and maintained a safehouse where drugs were stored, collected money on behalf of the group, collected packages containing drugs and bought items used in drug manufacture. He also helped clean up a clandestine drug lab.
When police raided his home, they discovered cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, cannabis and methamphetamine stored in different locations throughout the house, including in bags, a toy and a jelly bean container.
When combined, the total value of all the drugs seized could have been in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on how they were sold.
Acting Justice Burns said there could be no doubt that the syndicate was a relatively sophisticated organisation involved in manufacturing and selling drugs.
He said the man had his rent paid for his involvement, was given the leftover proceeds and also dealt a small amount of drugs.
There was no suggestion he would share the major profits earned by the syndicate, the acting justice said.
A psychologist said the man presented with Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD and had a history of childhood disadvantage, which she thought contributed to the commission of his offending.
They also meant he had difficulty asserting himself, she said.
The man pleaded guilty to four counts of drug trafficking and single counts of trafficking cannabis and participating in a criminal group.
Acting Justice Burns said his moral culpability was reduced due to his childhood disadvantage and his mental health struggles.
He had no prior criminal history, and the judge was satisfied he had excellent prospects of rehabilitation.
The man was sentenced to a total of 23 months’ jail, backdated to account for the five months he has already spent behind bars, with the remainder of the term suspended and to be served via a good behaviour order.
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