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A Perth man has today (8 September, 2023) been sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for drug, firearm and proceeds of crime offences.

The man, 36, was sentenced by the Perth District Court after pleading guilty to nine charges laid over a two-year period.

The AFP arrested and charged the man in May 2022 after executing a search warrant at his home in Mirrabooka, in Perth’s northern suburbs. AFP investigators located and seized 1191.6g of methamphetamine and 1849.9g of cocaine – which was divided into smaller amounts consistent with drug supply and trafficking.

They also seized $407,780 cash which was vacuum sealed and hidden in portable air conditioning units and underneath his bed.

Also located was a dedicated encrypted communication device (DECD), for which the man refused to provide access, despite police serving him with a 3LA order that compels individuals to provide assistance in accessing electronic devices.   

At the time of his 2022 arrest, the man was on bail for three 2020 charges laid by the AFP in relation to trafficking MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine.

He was also charged at that time with firearms offences, for being in possession of a semi-automatic handgun and a quantity of ammunition.

AFP Leading Senior Constable Lennard Bailey said the efforts of AFP investigators resulted in a significant seizure of drugs, weapons and finances linked to the proceeds of crime.

“The AFP works hard to protect our communities by creating hostile environments for crime syndicates who seek to exploit the Australian community,” LSC Bailey said.

“This investigation ensured a commercial quantity of drugs, suspected proceeds of crime funding and deadly weapons were taken out of the hands of criminals and off our streets.”

The man pleaded guilty on 27 February and 5 September, 2023, to the following offences:

• Trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely 945.6 grams of pure methamphetamine (1.91 kg gross), contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);

• Trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, namely 570.5 grams of pure cocaine (1.84 kg gross), contrary to section 302.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);

• Dealing with money reasonably suspected to be proceeds of indictable crime, namely $407,780AUD, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);

• Possession of a firearm without a licence or permit, namely a Beretta handgun, contrary to subsection 19(1)(c) of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA);

• Possession of ammunition without a licence or permit, namely fifteen x 0.22 calibre bullets, contrary to subsection 19(1)(c) of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA);

• Failing to comply with an order obtained under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth);

• Trafficking a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);

• Trafficking a controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to subsection 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and

• Trafficking a controlled drug, namely 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), contrary to subsection 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of eight years and six months.

Note to media:

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at www.counsellingonline.org.au.

• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.

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