Drug-related offences

Possession

Possession of a dangerous drug is enough to cause liability - despite the offender's intended purpose for the drug. A person is liable for dangerous drug possession if they have dangerous drugs in their custody and police can prove that the drugs are  within their physical domain.

The maximum sentence for drug possession depends on the quantity possessed.

Production of a Dangerous Drug

If a person has been involved in the production of a dangerous drug then they are liable to be charged accordingly. There are limited defences to production of a dangerous drug unless a person can prove that the drug is not harmful, the production was lawful or their involvement did not contribute to the production.

To be liable a person must have been involved in the preparation, cultivation, packaging, harvesting or any other stage of production of a dangerous drug.

The maximum penalty for producing a dangerous drug is 25 years imprisonment.

Trafficking

Drug trafficking is dealt with under section 5 of the Drug Misuse Act 1986. The act stipulates that anyone who 'carries on the business of unlawfully trafficking in a dangerous drug is guilty of a crime'.

A person is liable if it can be proven that they 'carried on a business'  - i.e. there is  proof of transactions over a period of time, and a person 'trafficked' - meaning they traded and sold a dangerous drug.

The maximum penalty for trafficking drugs is 25 years imprisonment.

Supplying Dangerous Drugs

In accordance with section 6 of the Drug Misuse Act 1986, a person who unlawfully supplies a dangerous drug to another, whether or not the other person is in Queensland, is guilty of a crime. Supplying dangerous drugs is a similar offence to trafficking although police will not need to prove that transactions took place for a certain period.

The maximum penalty for supplying a dangerous drug is 25 years imprisonment.

Five of our offices are conveniently located nearby the Courts which allow us to accept instructions to act and appear in Court or to file urgent documents at short notice.        

Our offices near courts are

  • Brisbane
  • Caboolture
  • Cleveland
  • Beenleigh
  • Ipswich 

 We also have an office at

  • Mermaid Beach
  • Jimboomba

If you would like to find out how Quinn & Scattini can help you, please call us on 1800 999 LAW (1800 999 529), or email us at mail@quinnscattini.com.au