Joshua James Andrew Johnson, 27, was travelling along Byrnes Road in January when police in an unmarked car did a registration check and saw the car was linked with drug supply. 

Police intercepted the car when it reached Junee and noticed Johnson, who was in the passenger seat, fidgeting with a backpack between his legs. 

They began a search of the vehicle, with Johnson telling them the bag had “nothing in it, just my work and gym stuff”. 

That was when Johnson grabbed the bag and bolted from the scene, beginning a short foot pursuit through the streets of Junee.

It was not long until they caught him in someone’s backyard, causing Johnson to surrender and say “I give up, I give up”. 

Police opened his backpack and found 150 purple capsules inside; 38 of those were later sent off for testing, which revealed them to be the drug ecstasy. 

Johnson later told police that, while he expected the backpack contained drugs, he was not entirely sure and had just agreed to transport it to Yass for $200. 

He was charged with supplying a prohibited drug, entering enclosed lands, and failing to comply with police officers, all of which he pleaded guilty to in August.

In Wagga District Court on Thursday, defence solicitor Zac Tankard said Johnson had already spent three-and-a-half months in jail on this matter before he was bailed. 

“He was at a low point in his life, he was without work, and he just went along with it,” Mr Tankard said.

“It was obviously a ridiculous venture to become involved in … he, at that stage, was starting to get his life in order, then his happens and he wastes three months and 15 days in custody away from his family looking at the wall.” 

Judge Gordon Lerve said that time in jail should serve as a good reminder for Johnson to never get involved with the drug trade again.

“That’s what happens when you get involved in the drug trade – although your client’s role was limited to transporting the drugs a few hundred kilometres, the drug trade can’t exist without people like your client doing the transporting,” Judge Lerve said.

“He’s 27 – if three-and-a-half months in Junee jail didn’t dissuade him from future forays into criminal activity, then nothing is going to.” 

Given he had already spent a considerable amount of time remanded in jail, Judge Lerve sentenced Johnson to a two-year community correction order with the added condition that he participate in ongoing counselling. 

“Mr Johnson, you know very well what happens if you get involved in drugs – if you were to commit any further offences in the next two years, you would almost certainly find yourself back in jail,” Judge Lerve said.

“Your family has heard what I’ve had to say, and I’m sure if you’re in any doubt as to what I’ve said today, they’ll be happy to remind you.” 

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