A court has heard a man who grew 700 cannabis plants in northern Victoria was severely depressed because of his daughter's terminal illness.
Twenty-six-year-old Joe Esposito pleaded guilty in the County Court in Shepparton to cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis.
The court heard police found marijuana plants with a street value of $1.4 million at his property at Whroo, south of Shepparton a year ago.
The court was told Esposito's two-year-old daughter suffers a neurological illness and is expected to die in the coming weeks.
His defence lawyer said Esposito went from a being buoyant, happy person before his daughter's illness to becoming severely depressed and suicidal.
He said his client believed he could help his daughter if he had a lot of money.
Esposito was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next week.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: ABC News
Copyright: 2008 ABC
Contact: Contact ABC News - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Website: Depression contributed to $1.4m marijuana stash, court hears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Twenty-six-year-old Joe Esposito pleaded guilty in the County Court in Shepparton to cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis.
The court heard police found marijuana plants with a street value of $1.4 million at his property at Whroo, south of Shepparton a year ago.
The court was told Esposito's two-year-old daughter suffers a neurological illness and is expected to die in the coming weeks.
His defence lawyer said Esposito went from a being buoyant, happy person before his daughter's illness to becoming severely depressed and suicidal.
He said his client believed he could help his daughter if he had a lot of money.
Esposito was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next week.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: ABC News
Copyright: 2008 ABC
Contact: Contact ABC News - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Website: Depression contributed to $1.4m marijuana stash, court hears - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
