Female bodybuilder jailed for drugs and cash on parole
Rex Martinich |
A female bodybuilding champion who was caught at a traffic stop with almost 24 grams of pure methamphetamine and cocaine has been jailed for three years.
Samantha Jane Heron, 36, faced Queensland Supreme Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to 11 charges including two counts of drug possession for a commercial purpose.
Heron, who has competed in figure sculpting competitions in Australia and the United States, also pleaded guilty to possessing almost $66,800 cash proceeds from drug crime.
Justice Peter Davis heard Heron had been on parole for similar offences when she was pulled over by police at Kallangur, north of Brisbane in September 2024.
The crown prosecutor said officers found the equivalent of 16 grams of pure meth and 7.6 grams of pure cocaine in Heron’s vehicle and handbag.
Heron avoided all but one day in jail in 2021 when she was sentenced to immediate parole for possessing multiple drugs including 13 grams of cocaine.
“There was less cocaine this time but it is similar offending,” the prosecutor said.
The 2024 search also uncovered 128 grams of cannabis, 154 strips of the synthetic opioid buprenorphine along with ketamine, MDMA and GBH.
As well as the large amount of cash, Heron had mobile phones, scales, clip seal bags and a pipe for smoking drugs.
Heron had stopped going to drug rehab before she was pulled over by police.
“She said she had found sufficient strategies but 11 days later she committed these offences,” the prosecutor said.
Defence barrister Nicholas Brown said Heron had a “very successful career in bodybuilding” and was a cover model for a fitness magazine before becoming addicted to meth during a family crisis.
Heron has been in custody since her arrest due to violating parole.
“She has been doing well in prison and has been running fitness courses,” Mr Brown said.
“She works as a senior farm hand, which is a highly trusted position as it involves working on the boundary line.”
Mr Brown said Heron had been addicted to drugs at the time of her offences but now hoped to continue her studies in health science.
“She has a history of the notable self-discipline required to succeed in body building,” Mr Brown said.
Justice Davis sentenced Heron to three years’ imprisonment with the start backdated to May this year when her first term for drug offences expired.
“Your history is in many respects a common one. You encountered difficulties in life that led you to drug addiction,” Justice Davis said.
Heron will be eligible for parole in March 2026 after serving 10 months on top of the three months she spent in custody between sentences.
Justice Davis ordered the forfeiture of Heron’s drug-related items found by police.
Heron waved to her supporters in court as she was returned to custody.
AAP
