A man with an extensive criminal record has been given four months’ jail for cultivating cannabis, which police say had a street value of between $20,000 and $140,000.
Joseph Zerafa was found guilty of growing a commercial quantity of cannabis at a factory at Ravenhall. While he denied growing a commercial quantity, he pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivating cannabis.
The County Court head Zerafa was going to the Ravenhall factory almost daily, despite it being clear to police there was no legitimate businesses operating there at the time. Police installed surveillance cameras at the factory in January, 2013.
On May 31, 2013, police executed a search warrant, uncovering about 30 cannabis plants with a total combined weight of more than 35 kilograms.
“If there is a crop that could be described as sophisticated, it was this one,” Judge John Smallwood said. “Mr Zerafa, you have been jailed for this before.
“You know what the consequences can be, or should be, regarding the cultivating of cannabis. It was a prolonged, calculated and considered operation and, clearly, you knew what you were doing and clearly knew the criminality of it,” Judge Smallwood said.
Zerafa’s criminal history dates back to 1988 when he was given a suspended sentence for trafficking heroin. Since then he has been found guilty of possessing, using and cultivating cannabis.
Judge Smallwood said Zerafa’s prospects of rehabilitation “should be good” but he noted that suspended sentences hadn’t deterred Zerafa from re-offending in the past.
“The risk of you re-offending after this experience, I think, is pretty low. I say that in the sense that I have now heard evidence, and I accept this, that your business situation has improved, that you have optimism and that you have plans for the future, insofar as supporting yourself and your family are concerned.”
Judge Smallwood ordered Zerafa to complete a three-year community corrections order upon his release.
