Trucker sentenced for meth run

LAST week’s sentencing of a Longreach truck driver to six-and-a-half years in prison, for trafficking the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, has served as a timely reminder to keep safe on the roads.

In August of 2004, 38-year-old Stuart William Nicholson was pulled over by a Longreach highway patrol after officers noticed he was driving erratically on the Landsborough Highway.

Blood tests at the Barcaldine Hospital revealed Mr Nicholson had been using methamphetamine and a subsequent search of the truck revelled 26.7 grams of the drug - 13 times over the maximum amount that could have been legally supplied - leading to a more serious drug trafficking charge.

Forty-four drug and traffic related charges were ultimately laid by police.

After two years of subsequent court appearances Mr Nicholson was finally sentenced last Thursday at Rockhampton’s Supreme Court on three charges.

For trafficking methamphetamine Mr Nicholson received five years imprisonment, for being in possession of methamphetamine over the legally prescribed amount he received one year, along with another six months for possessing instruments used for trafficking.

He was also disqualified from driving for one year and ultimately required to spend one year in prison before being eligible for release with a suspended sentence.

Longreach Police acting senior sergeant Simon Palmer said his officers are taking a zero tolerance approach to drug use and trafficking in the district.

"A conviction of this magnitude has been the first for us in a couple of years.

"Nicholson has been taken away from his life and family for the next 12 months.
"We have a growing population and drugs are part of our society. While there are a lot of very good operators out there, there are also those who push the boundaries, and this case really bought the issue home for the community."