Man who helped grow cannabis at Mona Vale jailed
A MAN charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of prohibited cannabis plants in Mona Vale was today sentenced to three years in jail at Downing Centre District Court.
Slaven Dacic, 26, of Cartwright, was given a non-parole period of one year and six months, and has been in custody since his arrest on March 22 last year.
The court heard that Dacic first started using cannabis at the end of 2007 to relieve back pain caused by a motor vehicle accident in 2005.
A close friend of his died in the car accident, for which Dacic was charged with negligent driving causing death, the court was told.
Dacic arrived in Australia as a child refugee from former Yugoslavia at the age of 10.
Judge Andrew Haesler accepted that the accident and Dacic's "history" had caused him to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and back pain, which prevented him from working full-time as a carpenter.
Dacic told the court that because he was "smoking a fair bit", a person from whom he bought cannabis offered him work in return for free drugs and a bit of extra money on the side.
"I wasn't told how much (money), but that I'd be happy with it," Dacic said.
He helped out at the hydroponic set-up at the Mona Vale industrial building by setting up lightning and netting, and driving to the shops to buy potting mix.
Judge Haesler told the court police discovered the "very sophisticated" set-up containing 77 "well cared for" cannabis plants on March 22.
It was estimated that the street worth of the plants was about $150,000. Dacic was arrested on the same day, sitting in the driver's seat of a nearby car.
Judge Haesler accepted that Dacic was involved in the "criminal enterprise" as a labourer and driver.
Dacic told the court he intended to seek treatment for his mental condition upon release.
He said he was willing to take medication and undergo counselling.
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