Pharmacist jailed for two years for selling synthetic cannabis

The owner of the notorious Cloud 9 smoke shops in Perth, who admitted selling synthetic cannabis at his chain, has been sentenced to two years in jail.

Pharmacist Hoang Nam Nguyen, 35, had been due to stand trial in the West Australian District Court earlier this month but instead pleaded guilty to 17 charges of possessing a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply.

Nguyen admitted supplying the substances at his stores in Rockingham, Armadale, East Victoria Park, Mandurah, Wanneroo and Highgate between November 2015 and March 2016.

He was charged after WA laws were introduced in 2015 banning synthetic drugs.

Police raided his stores 11 times, seizing packets that were being sold for up to $130 each, the court heard.

Judge Michael Gething said Nguyen made a conscious decision to sell products he knew were a significant risk.

The court heard Nguyen tried to sell Cloud 9 after he was charged but there was no interest.

Character references described Nguyen as a man of integrity, a dedicated father of three and a well respected member of the Vietnamese community.

He was also praised for his work as a pharmacist, especially in providing medication to people in palliative care.

Judge Gething accepted Nguyen was at low risk of reoffending but said he committed his crimes solely for commercial gain.

He must serve at least one year behind bars before he can be eligible for parole.

In 2016, Nguyen was fined $60,000 plus costs of $36,500 after admitting to illegally importing 2001 ice pipes into WA from China and India in 2014.