Cops find drug crop in ensuite
A CONNEWARRE man made $10,000 in six months by trafficking cannabis grown in his ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, a court has heard.
Alan Haigh, 45, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates' Court yesterday to charges of trafficking, cultivating and possessing a drug of addiction.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Geoff Lamb said, at 7.55am yesterday, police executed a drug search warrant on Haigh's property.
"When asked if he had any drugs in the house, Haigh led police to the ensuite which had been converted into a hydroponic set-up where four large cannabis plants were growing under light shrouds," Sen-Constable Lamb said.
"Four smaller plants were growing in the walk-in robe."
He said police also found small bags containing ground cannabis and equipment and chemicals associated with a hydroponic set-up.
"He told police he began growing cannabis for his own use but then started trafficking it to make money," the prosecutor said.
"He also told police he had made $10,000 during the last six months through drug trafficking."
Defence lawyer Shane Balkin said his client had no priors and at 45 should have known better.
"He lives on a property at Connewarre, has animals and works as supermarket shelf filler at night," Mr Balkin said.
"He also receives some income from a rental property in Melbourne."
Mr Balkin said his client was shocked when police arrived at his property, but had co-operated fully with them and had not "mucked them around".
"Ending up in police custody is the new reality for him and he knows that if he chooses to continue dabbling in this stuff, jail is what awaits him," he said.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie convicted Haigh on all counts and sentenced him to three months' jail suspended for two years.
