Jaw-dropping amount of prescription drugs Aussie doctor handed out to bikie gang members under the table

By REX MARTINICH FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

A former doctor who trafficked a ‘breathtaking’ amount of prescription medication to bikie gang members has been jailed.

John Robert Ullman, 57, pleaded guilty on Friday in Queensland Supreme Court to one count of drug trafficking and nine counts of drug supply.

Justice Rebecca Treston heard Ullman used his clinic in Brisbane as a front to illegally sell the anti-anxiety drug benzodiazepine and steroids.

Crown prosecutor Sam Sherrie said Ullman sold drugs on 76 occasions to 31 people over nearly three years to September 2020, including to members of the Comanchero bikie gang.

‘He often charged a consultation fee in addition to his mark-up on the price of the drugs,’ Mr Sherrie said.

Ullman would supply the drugs in his office in amounts that required a garbage bag.

Justice Treston said Ullman made up to $1.52 million in revenue from his drug trafficking.

‘The sum is indicative of the breathtaking amount of drugs you supplied,’ she said.

John Robert Ullman (centre) arrives at Brisbane Supreme Court over syphoning off ‘garbage bags’ worth of benzos and steroids to bikies

Justice Treston said one of Ullman’s customers was arrested while leaving the clinic with 2500 tablets.

Ullman became the biggest customer for certain drugs at legitimate wholesalers, ordering more than pharmacies and hospitals.

‘He purchased 1567 units of Valium, which represented roughly 26 per cent of that company’s total sales of that drug,’ Mr Sherrie said.

Ullman, a hormone balancing specialist, was suspended as a medical practitioner after his arrest.

Justice Treston heard his registration was restored but with so many conditions imposed it made him unemployable.

Mr Sherrie submitted to Justice Treston Ullman be sentenced to eight to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Ulman’s barrister Jeffrey Hunter said the prosecution had overstated the seriousness of his client’s offending and benzodiazepine abuse caused an ‘order of magnitude’ less social harm than methamphetamines.

‘We reject that this offending was sophisticated. Much evidence was obtained from a camera above the front door of his office,’ Mr Hunter said.

Mr Hunter said Ullman had naively entered into business with a bikie gang and became ‘entangled’.

Some of his customers were members of the Comanchero bikie gang (file image)

‘He arrived at work and one or more of these people would be waiting for him,’ Mr Hunter said.

‘On one occasion a former patient placed a handgun on the desk while they were speaking.’

Justice Treston said Ullman committed serious offences and a significant breach of the trust placed in him.

‘Your position as a doctor is probably the most significant aggravating factor,’ she said.

‘As a doctor must have understood the harm affected on society at large by the supply of dangerous drugs yet you persisted.’

Justice Treston said Ullman was now working as a labourer and earning a fraction of his previous income.

‘The loss of your relationship with your family is the greatest punishment you have suffered,’ she said.

Justice Treston accepted Ullman had worked towards his rehabilitation while on bail and there was no real risk he would reoffend.

Ullman was sentenced to six-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and will be eligible for release on parole from July 5, 2028.

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