Aspiring financial planner, 24, who took drugs to fit in with his friends is busted with 40 caps of MDMA headed for music festival
- An 'sheltered' aspiring financial planner has been busted with 40 MDMA caps
- Michael Xavier Echter, 24, fronted Maroochydore District Court on Wednesday
- He was arrested at his home after police busted him with the drugs in May 2017
- Police believe the capsules were destined for the Big Pineapple Music Festival
An aspiring financial planner who took drugs to fit in with his friends has been busted with 40 caps of MDMA allegedly headed for a music festival.
Michael Xavier Echter, 24, fronted Maroochydore District Court on Wednesday charged with drug possession and money believed to be connected with drugs.
He was arrested at his Parreara home last May after police busted him with 40 MDMA capsules, which they believe were destined for the Big Pineapple Music Festival, The Sunshine Coast Daily reported.
An aspiring financial planner who took drugs to fit in with his friends has been busted with 40 caps of MDMA allegedly headed for a music festival
The court heard the drugs contained a combined 1.3 grams of pure MDMA which the 24-year-old and his friends planned to take, likely at a music festival.
Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings said the 24-year-old was 'less than helpful' after police found $1960 in cash and capsules, 25 of which were packaged in bags of five.
Echter was sentenced for possessing dangerous drugs, possessing a wooden box and clip-seal bags believed to be connected with drugs, $1960 suspected of being tainted and refusing to give police the password to his phone.
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Judge Glen Cash said the maximum punishment for the offending was 15 years' jail, and that drug use at festivals was far too common among young people.
'You would know, not infrequently, people die of overdosing on ecstasy at music festivals,' Judge Cash said
'Young people like you take tablets, have a bad reaction and die as a result.'
Echter's defence barrister Sarah Cartledge told the court her client's refusal to assist police during the raid was the result of 'misguided loyalty to his friends'.
Echter was arrested at his Parreara home last May after police busted him with 40 MDMA capsules, which they believe were destined for the Big Pineapple Music Festival (pictured)
She described how the 24-year-old had a 'sheltered life' until he suffered a 'horrific facial injury' and underwent months of grueling rehab and reconstructive surgery.
Ms Cartledge said following his rehab, Echter moved from Victoria to the Sunshine Coast to be with his family and that's when the drug-taking behaviour started.
She said Echter graduated high school in Victoria before completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University via distance education.
Since his arrest, the 24-year-old has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning and intended on becoming a certified financial planner, Ms Cartledge said.
She said a recorded conviction could impact Echter's future prospects and added he had not breached bail, been clean of drugs and cut ties with his friends involved in the drug scene.
When handing down his sentence, Judge Cash accepted Echter was of otherwise good character.
He was given a one year probation with no conviction if the order is not breached.
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