A CANNABIS plantation worker who lied to an Australian Crime Commission hearing about his involvement has been paroled and given a good behaviour bond.

Ljubodrag Jerosimic, 65, appeared in the Supreme Court in Cairns yesterday and pleaded guilty to two counts of producing cannabis and two counts of giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Crime Commission.

The court heard Jerosimic was a Yugoslavian refugee who had been a soccer coach in Cairns and Mareeba before becoming involved in the drug trade. His part in a large-scale cannabis production line was uncovered during the well-known police investigation Operation Charlie Thatch.

State prosecutor Bob English said the defendant was involved with cannabis plantations near Chillagoe in 1998 and 2002.

Mr English said in 1998, Jerosimic only took part in picking the crop but in 2002, he helped to recruit others to the drug operation and participated in the planting stages. The court heard that in 2002, the defendant left the crop site early after a falling out with the other workers and did not receive any payment for his efforts.

Commonwealth prosecutor Jane Bentley said Jerosimic appeared before the Australian Crime Commission twice in May 2006.

Ms Bentley said he repeatedly denied his involvement in the drug plantation and denied knowledge about the involvement of others.

Defence barrister Kevin McCreanor said his client would not have been able to provide any new or significant information to the Crime Commission, even if he had told the truth.

Mr McCreanor said Jerosimic suffered from a series of serious medical conditions requiring constant monitoring and treatment, which meant any time in prison could be dangerous for his health.

Justice Stanley Jones sentenced the defendant to two years' jail, but ordered he be released immediately on parole.

Justice Jones also ordered a two-and-a-half year good behaviour bond for the Crime Commission offences.

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