Darwin couple sent to jail for role in cocaine syndicate trial
The couple, who were convicted in 2007 of operating a cocaine syndicate that was involved in an attempt to smuggle a batch of the drug, have been sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay a total of $12 million (£8.4 million) to settle drug-related charges.
The sentence was given by Judge Kevin M. O’Malley on Tuesday as part of a plea agreement, meaning the couple could have their convictions overturned after they serve their sentences.
The three others involved in the conspiracy were convicted in 2007 and sentenced to 25-32 years in prison.
The court heard the defendants were part of a conspiracy that smuggled about 10 kilograms of cocaine in January 2011.
When they were confronted by po화천출장샵lice, the men confessed their role, telling police they were “totally in control”.
The men are also known to have arranged to meet at a friend’s house to plan another planned cocaine smuggling operat수원출장샵ion.
Prosecutor Andrew R. Felt had told the court the operation involved sending two men and the women to a friend’s home on January 20, 2011, when the men arrived.
One man was arrested at the scene and the other was arrested and questioned two weeks later, when the drug was already in plain view at the home.
Both men confessed to trying to buy the drugs from the house and they were eventually d시흥출장샵iscovered at the same location.
Felt told court that it was when the two were questioned by police the women realised they had a “good chance of facing an even longer prison term”.
They also told officers the money they intended to pay was part of a “drug deal”.
The defendants were given seven months and 12 months in jail at their trial and they are entitled to $150,000 in restitution, an apology and other monetary relief.
The sentencing is to be heard in September.