Desperate dad turns drug dealer

[boulder]

UNEMPLOYED dad turned himself into a drug dealer after Centrelink told him he was too old to get another job.

 

Marijuana helped generate an income for Mr Cook.

 

Former retail manager Kenneth Mark Cook, 35, had lost his job for the first time in 20 years.

 

He had no prior criminal record except for a few minor traffic infringements.

 

But the Darwin dad resorted to dealing marijuana in his desperation to make money to pay bills and support his wife and children.

 

Cook embarked on the new career path, the Supreme Court heard last week, because Centrelink officials told him to "change his life and re-educate himself" because he was too old to get another retail trade job.

 

He rejected this advice and became a cash on delivery drug dealer instead, taking orders on his mobile phone and dropping off marijuana parcels to homes in Palmerston area.

 

The court heard he purchased in bulk quantities - half-pound lots - and broke it down to smaller packages, re-bagged at two, four, and 12g lots which were sold for $30, $60 and $180 respectively.

 

On some days, Cook's mobile phone ran hot with as many as 25 calls.

 

In rapid time, more than $13,000 worth of marijuana was personally delivered to customers' doorsteps.

 

He was caught after police officers acted on a tip-off and raided his Moulden home where they found more than 290g of marijuana in two car fridges. Cook admitted selling marijuana.

 

Justice David Angel said Centrelink's abrupt treatment of Cook was "understandably found somewhat insulting".

 

The judge accepted Cook's genuine remorse, and viewed favourably his efforts since to establish himself as a dragon fruit farmer.

 

Cook was sentenced to three years' jail, but walked free after the entire sentence was suspended on the condition he not re-offend for three years.

 

Northern Territory News

Edited November 30, 2003 by boulder

[Guest Wilderbud]

Interesting.