A Dungog man who had seven cannabis plants of varying sizes growing in his backyard told police he “liked the smell of them growing”.
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Darren Joseph Wright of Scott Avenue was unrepresented in Dungog Local Court on Wednesday to answer the charges of cultivate and possession of prohibited drugs.
The 49-year-old appeared shaken when told by Magistrate John Chicken he could go to jail for four years.
“I have a healthy degree of scepticism as to the reason you grew the plants,” said Mr Chicken referring to the “liked the smell” comment.
“These are not trifling offences, they are still illegal.”
Dungog police attended Wright’s residence on March 7 following information received from the public.
They found four plants from one metre to over two metres in height and then three smaller plants.
Police facts tendered to the court said Wright admitted to possessing the plants.
He told police the sole purpose for growing them was because he liked the smell of the plant.
He further stated, that on the odd occasion, he had friends attend and pick a small amount of cannabis.
Wright was fined $750 for the possession charge and placed on a Section 9 bond for 18 months for cultivating the plants.
