By ALESHA CAPONE
A MOTHER charged with ‘crop-sitting’ more than 110 cannabis plants in Deer Park has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
In a recent case at the County Court of Victoria, 25-year-old Thi Phung pleaded guilty to one charge of cultivating a narcotic plant in a commercial quantity and one charge of dealing with the proceeds of crime.
In October last year, officers from the Victoria Police Drug Taskforce executed a search warrant at a Deer Park house, where they arrested Phung.
At the property, police found 116 cannabis plants growing under lights and hydroponic watering systems.
The court heard in September 2012, Phung had an argument with her drunken husband, who assaulted her.
Afterwards, Phung withdrew $3000 of his savings, which she gambled away at Crown Casino.
There, Phung was approached by a man who offered her $1000 in chips and more money to recover her losses, through some work.
Phung agreed and was ordered to attend the Deer Park property, where she was taught to water and feed the cannabis plants.
During the police investigation, Phung told officers she was paid $2360 to tend the cannabis for just over three weeks.
The court heard at the time of her offending, Phung was a “lawful non-citizen” with a Temporary Partner Visa which allowed her to remain in Australia.
In addition, Phung was described as a “crop-sitter” who was not involved with the setting up the crop.
Chief Judge Michael Rozenes said Phung had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty at an early stage, was honest with police and felt “great remorse” for her offending.
However he said the cultivation of cannabis in commercial quantity was a serious offence.
“General deterrence and community protection must therefore play a significant role in the sentencing process,” he said.
Judge Rozenes sentenced Phung to 15 months’ imprisonment for cultivating cannabis in a commercial quantity and three months for dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He ordered the sentences be served concurrently, making a total sentence of 15 months imprisonment with a minimum of eight months before Phung would become eligible for parole.
