Nambour hotel owner fined for drug possession

Trent Nathan Laing, 47, owner of Nambour’s Royal George Hotel and The Vogue music and entertainment venue, pleaded guilty to drug charges in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 2. 

Mr Laing was charged with producing and possessing drugs, including 300g of cannabis, magic mushrooms, and LSD, found during a police search on March 12.

Police discovered a hydroponic setup for growing cannabis on his property. 

According to The Courier-Mail Laing's defence barrister, Peter Slipper, argued there was no commercial intent behind the drug production. 

He said the warrant was originally for another individual on Mr Laing's property.

Mr Laing cited financial stress and said he resorted to using cannabis as medication after a former employee stole a substantial sum of money from him. 

He has since obtained a prescription for medical cannabis.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist fined Laing $1200, recording a conviction for his offences.