A Melbourne man has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to smuggle almost two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine into Tasmania.
In a recent appearance at the Supreme Court of Tasmania in Burnie, it was revealed how authorities caught David Le, 32, having concealed the drugs within the visibly altered centre console of his rental car in December 2020 after leaving the Spirit of Tasmania.
Justice Tamara Jago said authorities, during a search of the car, discovered a white plastic shopping bag with a package wrapped in gold Christmas paper inside containing a Chinese tea packet and a cryovac bag.
The tea bag contained 995 grams of crystal methamphetamine, while a second package revealed 991 grams of the same substance, with a combined street value of more than $2 million.
“The amount … located was more than 79 times the trafficable quantity. Had the crystal methyl amphetamine been sold to end users in this smaller quantity, it had a street value of approximately $3,972,000,” Justice Jago said.
Justice Jago described ice as a scourge on society and said people who set out to make money from commercial dealings should “expect to go to prison and for substantial periods of time”.
“The defendant embarked upon this enterprise to make money. He was willing to be part of an enterprise that led to significant quantities of methyl amphetamine making its way into the Tasmanian community and causing immense harm to many,” she said.
Le, who was in debt due to gambling and a cocaine addiction, attempted to make the journey across the Bass Strait to “obtain money to alleviate his difficult financial circumstances”.
“This was a considered, deliberate decision to become involved in a significant enterprise designed to earn money,” Jago said.
Le was sentenced to four years in prison, with a requirement to serve half of the term before being eligible for parole.
