Lost phone leads police to firearm, drug sales
Rex Martinich |
The owner of a lost mobile phone that gave police a window into his trade in assault rifles, handguns and drugs has been jailed for his “deeply concerning” offences.
Ashley Wayne Ruggeri faced Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to 16 weapons and shortened firearms supply charges and one count of drug trafficking.
The circumstances behind the 33-year-old’s case were unusual, crown prosecutor Toby Corsbie said.
“(Ruggeri) lost his phone and it was found by a member of the public and handed in to police,” he told Justice Patrick McCafferty.
“Whilst in possession of police, messages received by the phone trigger them to form a suspicion and they endeavoured to gain access to the phone.”
The phone contained images of assault rifles, semi-automatic shotguns and handguns that Ruggeri intended to sell for cash as a “middle man” as well as evidence of methamphetamine trafficking, Justice McCafferty heard.
This was not a case of someone selling ramshackle weapons held together by tape, Mr Corsbie said.
“Weapons in this case had high-capacity ammunition magazines and self-loading features, either semiautomatic or automatic, that were capable of great harm,” he said.
“They were often handguns that were easily concealable.”
Ruggeri was found in possession of a firearm silencer and knuckle dusters when police raided his home in 2024.
He trafficked meth in quantities up to 28 grams to 18 people during a six-week period and had discussed buying 250 grams at a time.
Defence barrister Matthew Hynes said his client had become addicted to drugs from a young age as a result of pain and anger from two close relatives dying, leading to him serving multiple jail terms.
“Once you are in that world, it’s hard to get out of it when you are addicted,” Mr Hynes said.
“He was trying to self-destruct.”
Ruggeri was now taking steps toward rehabilitation and held jobs for “high trust” prisoners involving metalwork and chemicals.
Justice McCafferty noted the serious offences were committed soon after release on parole.
But Ruggeri had also pleaded guilty and was taking part in addiction treatment, he said.
“It is deeply, deeply concerning that you were willing to sell firearms … two weeks after your release from prison,” he said.
Ruggeri was jailed for six years, with two years already spent in custody recognised as time served.
He will be eligible to apply for parole in September 2027.
His family and supporters in court said goodbye to him as he was returned to custody.
AAP