Like many top chefs, Tumut’s Jason Brian Buckley used a specialty ingredient in his cooking – expect in this travelling cook’s case, his dried cannabis leaf landed him on the wrong side of the law.
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The 44-year-old was found in possession of more than $11,000 in cash and eight kilograms of cannabis in Moruya last month, stored in plastic tubs, eskies and garbage bags in his station wagon.
When police came upon the $166,000 cannabis stash, Buckley was adamant he didn’t use or sell the drug, but baked cannabis cakes for his own consumption.
According to court documents, Buckley also had creative excuses for the cash found in a money tin inside his vehicle. His reason – he never deposited his money, as he didn’t like bank fees.
Also found during the police search were a set of electronic scales and a box of plastic zip-lock bags.
Buckley told police the plastic bags were used to pack his lunches and the scales were used for cooking.
These excuses didn’t hold up and led to him being charged with commercial supply of cannabis and dealing with property proceeds of crime.
Police alleged the cannabis found had the potential to become over 81,000 individual street deals.
On Monday, Buckley faced Batemans Bay Local Court via audio-visual link from John Morony Correctional Complex, pleading guilty to both charges.
Defence solicitor Travis McGeachy said Buckley had turned to drugs and “made some bad decisions” after a relationship breakdown in late 2017.
Mr McGeachy said being in custody had been a wake-up call for Buckley and he was eager to address his substance abuse issues.
Magistrate Susan McGowan ordered him to serve an intensive corrections order for 12 months.
