Cannabis Crop Heist Goes Awry, Leading to Murder Charge

A botched attempt to steal a multi-million-dollar cannabis crop in northern New South Wales has resulted in one of the would-be thieves being shot and killed, with the alleged owner of the crop now facing murder charges. Jason Russo, 23, is charged with breaking into the Condong home of alleged commercial cannabis grower Barry Grant to steal hydroponically grown cannabis. However, the break-in victim, Grant, had been charged with the shooting murder of Russo's co-offender, Jethro Matheson, after a police investigation.

Key Takeaways:

• Jason Russo, 23, is accused of breaking into Barry Grant's Condong home to steal hydroponically grown cannabis, but the break-in victim, Grant, is now charged with the shooting murder of Russo's co-offender, Jethro Matheson.
• Russo admitted to police that he and Matheson went to steal cannabis from Grant's property, but Matheson was shot and killed by Grant during a confrontation.
• Police allege that Russo and Matheson wore camouflage clothing to get to Grant's property, which backs onto Farrants Road.
• The cannabis crop, worth $3 million, was discovered after Tweed police investigated reports of shots being fired at Grant's property on January 15.
• Grant is charged with the murder of Matheson, cultivation of a commercial crop of cannabis (1549 plants), supplying cannabis, possessing 8.1kg of cannabis leaf, and use/consume divert electricity.
• Grant's lawyer, John Weller, is discussing a plea for the commercial cultivation and supply cannabis charges, with ongoing discussion about the murder charge.

Statistics:

• The cannabis crop is worth $3 million.
• 1549 plants were found on Grant's property.
• 8.1kg of cannabis leaf was found on Grant's property.
• 7 ecstasy pills were found on Grant's property.
• The police searched for Grant for 4 weeks before he gave himself up to Byron Bay police on February 12.
• The police found the decomposing body of Matheson 15 days after the shooting, on January 30.
• A lawyer for Grant mentioned "lockdown" in the jail as a reason for delayed legal instructions.
• Murwillumbah man Peter Smith, 53, is charged with being Grant's co-offender in the cultivation of a commercial quantity of cannabis at Condong between November 2008 and January 16, 2009.
• Smith has entered no plea to the charge and remains on bail with a $10,000 cash surety.

Sources:

• "Man charged after cannabis crop heist goes wrong", The Sydney Morning Herald, January 16, 2009.
• "Cannabis grower accused of murder", The Australian, February 12, 2009.
• "Murwillumbah man charged over cannabis crop", The Northern Star, February 13, 2009.