Joseph Thomas Cochrane, 33, was arrested in September 2020, as part of Strike Force Pinnacle - a 14-month police operation investigating a large-scale drug supply network operating out of Wellington.

Earlier this year, Cochrane pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal group and using a prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order charges.

In an agreed statement of facts, Cochrane's role in the syndicate involved using a scanner to listen to police radio systems and monitor them, notifying members of the drug ring where police were on the road between Wellington and Sydney - the route being used by "runners" to courier drugs.

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In June 2019, police, who were secretly monitoring communication between members of the syndicate, uncovered the alleged kingpin of the drug ring, Kyle Thompson, was allegedly receiving a delivery, when Cochrane was later spotted leaving that location.

His role became more apparent to police when Cochrane met a driver who was dropping off drugs in Wellington.

According to court documents, police overheard a conversation between Mr Thompson and his supplier who had allegedly discussed a drug delivery heading to a destination referred to as "Shrek's".

Police were aware "Shrek" was Cochrane's nickname, and later after the call was made Cochrane took possession of an unknown quantity of drugs, before agreeing to meet up with Mr Thompson to drop them off.

When Cochrane was arrested in September 2020, police searched his home where they found a slingshot and container with small metal balls in a dressing table, and a homemade taser on a shelf in a locked garage.

In Dubbo Local Court on Thursday, defence barrister Sheridan Goodwin said Cochrane had "clearly got mixed up with the wrong" crowd.

"He was also on ice at the time, he's now off the drugs trying to live a more law abiding life, and doing his best to turn his life around," she said.

The court heard Cochrane now had job lined up with his brother's concreting business in Dubbo.

While Magistrate Roger Prowse noted Cochrane was entitled to a discount for his early plea of guilt, he slammed prosecutors who had negotiated an agreed set of facts "so sparse you would have to get the SES out to find some".

The court heard Cochrane's record had shown he had been offending in a variety of ways since 2006, and had convictions for assault, drug possession and intimidation.

"Not only were you trusted, it's also clear that on occasions you were an integral part of the syndicate," Magistrate Prowse said.

"You weren't just a mere foot soldier or courier, you were a trusted member of the syndicate."

Magistrate Prowse added that slingshots were not "just a nothing weapon".

"Slingshots are actually very powerful, useful weapons," he said.

"David used one to knock off Goliath, that's how effective they are."

Cochrane was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in jail, backdated to when he was first remanded in custody on September 15, 2020.

A non-parole period of nine months and three days was imposed, which meant Cochrane could remain in the community on parole, as he was granted bail and released from custody on June 17 this year.