
Company boss's spate of excuses for growing drugs in lounge
A MOTHER caught growing marijuana in her home gave police a spate of excuses when they later found a stash of utensils, money and messages on her phone asking for drugs.
Verity Simone Cox, 41, told police a heat sealing machine found with a glass pipe, metal tin, electric grinder and scissors was for "sealing meat and food" despite a search of her Beerwah home uncovering drugs.
Caloundra Magistrates Court heard how police found a 1.5m marijuana plant in a planter box in Cox's lounge room, and less than one gram of marijuana on a table and in a pantry on May 24.
Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said Cox told police she had been "watering and moving (the plant) in and outside" to protect it from bugs.
In a search of a rear bedroom, Senior Sergeant Newman said police also found $580 cash, a phone and a to-do list with "ounce weights and prices listed".
Snr Sgt Newman said police found messages on the phone asking for drugs, but Cox insisted only $50 from the cash stash was from selling drugs and the rest was accumulated money to pay off a loan.
Cox, who was working as the temporary director of an earth moving company, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to five drug charges including, producing and possessing dangerous drugs.
She was fined $2000 and no conviction was recorded.