Drug Dealer Earns Jail

[grace]

A HERVEY Bay man who started smoking cannabis at the age of 13 has been sentenced to a jail term after being caught dealing the drug at a Pialba shopping centre.

 

Ryan Henderson was caught in the act on October 26 last year after police received information that a drug deal was about to take place at a chemist at the shopping centre.

 

Police officers moved quickly to intercept Henderson after seeing him exchange the drug with another man.

 

A search of Henderson's bumbag uncovered 48 clipseal bags, each containing about one gram of cannabis.

 

Also in the bag were five boxes of pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets, a set of scales, a mobile phone containing incriminating text messages and a “tick list†detailing Henderson's customers.

 

Police also searched the other person and found a clipseal bag of cannabis similar to those in Henderson's possession.

 

Henderson, 34, pleaded guilty in Maryborough Supreme Court to supplying and possessing a dangerous drug and possessing items used in connection with a drug offence.

 

The court heard Henderson had an extensive criminal history including property and drug convictions and was on two parole orders at the time he committed the offences.

 

Defence barrister Catherine Morgan agreed Henderson had a lengthy criminal history but said the majority of the offences were minor in nature.

 

Ms Morgan said Henderson was raised by his grandparents and attended Hervey Bay High School.

 

“He started using cannabis when he was introduced to it at the age of 13 by his father,†she said.

 

Henderson also pleaded guilty to shoplifting, driving while disqualified and contravening a direction to provide his identity to police.

 

Justice David Boddice sentenced Henderson to six months jail and set a parole release date of November 4.

 

Henderson was also disqualified from driving for three years.

 

Author: Loretta Bryce

Date: 5th October 2010

Source: Fraser Coast Chronicle

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2010/10/05/drug-dealer-shopping-centre-earns-jail/