Trinidy Clifford Smith, 31, faced Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to trafficking in dangerous drugs and multiple drug possession charges.

Smith also pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing items used in connection with a crime including vacuum sealed bags, digital scales and a pipe, as well as two counts of failing to provide access to a mobile phone.

Crown prosecutor Gabriel Perry said Smith had engaged in “serious drug offending” by trafficking large quantities of meth and smaller amounts of GHB in Brisbane between January 2020 and March 2021.

“He used the profits to fund his own drug habit and buy essentials. There’s no evidence of (Smith) living a life of luxury due to his offending,” Perry said.

A police operation targeting organised crime had identified Smith as a drug trafficker in February 2020 and placed him under phone surveillance, which recorded him speaking in code and seeking drug payments even after his first arrest.

Police identified four suppliers who provided drugs on credit to Smith, who sold them to 15 street-level customers on 40 occasions, typically in amounts of about 1.75 grams or a ‘half ball’.

Smith had subordinates prepare drugs and then rent vehicles and hotel rooms under their names to support the operation, which at its height controlled five kilograms of meth at once.

“He sometimes used threats to collect drug debts, not just towards a customer but also her partner and family,” Perry said.

Smith used six telecommunications services all registered under his mother’s name, which he also used to book a hotel room in Brisbane in January 2021.

Police searched the hotel room and found Smith inside along with the equivalent of one kilogram of pure meth.

Smith’s barrister Sarah Farnden said her client had been using drugs since an early age and his trafficking operation was smaller and less sophisticated than other cases.

“He now appreciates that he needs to be engaged in psychiatric help to beat his drug addiction,” Farnden said.

Justice Frances Williams said Smith had played an active and significant role in a criminal syndicate.

“You were answerable to people higher than you but also an element where you directed others,” Justice Williams said.

“You failed to provide the PIN to your phones and this frustrated investigations and defied court orders.”

Williams said Smith had some prospects of rehabilitation if he received treatment for drug addiction.

Smith was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for drug trafficking followed by six months for refusing to unlock his phones.

His parole eligibility date was set in September 2026 due to 428 days in custody he already served.