Andros Steve Klobucar, 44, was found guilty in the ACT Supreme Court of procuring Yaresul Silkeci to traffic in methylamphetamine.

About 144 grams of ice was discovered in Silkeci's red Ford Falcon after it was stopped and searched by police on the Federal Highway as it re-entered Canberra in August 2007.

Police were alerted to the drug run after intercepting text messages and a phone call from Klobucar to Silkeci.

Surveillance footage then captured Klobucar handing a package to his brother-in-law who was seated in his car.

Silkeci drove to Sydney with the package and exchanged it for another package before returning to Canberra, where he was arrested.

Testing revealed the ice was about 59.4 per cent pure with a pure weight of 85.47 grams.

Police said that amount could have been divided into more than 850 individual sales worth about $50 each, an overall street value of $42,000.

Silkeci expected $500 in payment for the delivery.

The Supreme Court heard on Thursday that the stress of the case had caused Klobucar to separate from his wife. It also heard that the self-employed landscaper's business would collapse if he was sent to jail.

The couple own two properties but would be unable to meet the mortgage repayments on a single income.

Klobucar's wife reported he had been happy and outgoing before the charges, but had since become withdrawn and depressed.

But Justice Hilary Penfold said the crime had been planned, not impulsive.

Acquaintances of Klobucar broke down in tears as the judge jailed him for three years, with a non-parole period of 15 months.

He will be eligible for release in December next year.