Raymond John Rooke, 59, was sentenced in Gunnedah Local Court after admitting to two counts of taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug that is less than the commercial quantity.

The court heard Rooke handed a box full of cash over to co-offender, and brother-in-law, Ian Charles Wise, so he could purchase 4.45kg of cannabis from a Sydney dealer.

The court also heard the drugs were destined for Gunnedah with the court told the intention was to supply it locally.

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Magistrate Peter Thompson said it was agreed that it was "a shared arrangement between Wise and Rooke".

On February 14, Wise travelled to Sydney to collect the drugs from the dealer, however, he was unable to supply them so "Wise returned to Gunnedah frustrated and returned the cash to the offender", the court heard.

After numerous delays, the drugs were eventually collected, but Rooke and Wise were approached by police on Denman Road at Muswellbrook.

Police were told there was cannabis hidden in the esky in the back of the car. After a search of the vehicle, the drugs were seized.

The deal had a level of sophistication to it, Mr Thompson said in sentencing, with the men using "codes and knowing police methodology" to carry it out.

"There are elements of remorse [and that] he feels embarrassed," Mr Thompson said in sentencing Rooke.

"The impact he sees is mainly to his family and himself and he has a low risk of reoffending.

"He has no drug addictions and a supportive family."

Mr Thompson said the sophistication was not an aggravating factor in sentencing and he said there were numerous factors that would support Rooke in his rehabilitation endeavours.

Rooke was jailed for a total of 20 months for both charges with a non-parole period of 12 months.

Mr Thompson found special circumstances in sentencing because it was Rooke's first time in custody.

Rooke was lead out of court by police and will be eligible for parole in October 2020.

Wise was sentenced to an 18-month intensive corrections order for his role in the cannabis supply.