[Shadow_Group] Fw: Israeli jailed over $17m ecstasy haul

[shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca]

news.com.au

Israeli jailed over $17m ecstasy haul
November 9, 2004

A JUDGE has jailed an Israeli man for his role in importing ecstasy worth
up to $17.5 million, and has warned drug traders not to see Australian
courts as a "soft touch".

Alon Inbar, 23, was sentenced to five and a half years jail with a
non-parole period of three years and three months.

He was arrested on March 10, having been identified by federal police as
the man whose job it was to arrange customs clearance and delivery of
33.93kg of ecstasy concealed in the cavities in two wooden crates
containing antique chandeliers.

The 250,000 tablets arrived in Port Melbourne from Rotterdam on February
16.

Inbar, a former Israeli army parachutist, was under orders from his
"handler" in Thailand, to get the drugs delivered to his address in
Heatherbrae Road, Glenhuntly, a backpacker hostel for young Israeli
tourists. 


In handing down the jail term, Victorian County Court judge Michael
Strong said: "Much is written and said about what should or might be done
to address the scourge of drug abuse in this country and indeed in many
other countries.

"But no-one ever suggests the penalties for trafficking, particularly
international trafficking, should be eased."

He added: "The message to those who are minded to bring drugs into this
country must be made crystal clear.

"It must not be thought that Australian courts are a soft touch. That
would send altogether the wrong message to the international drugs
community."

Inbar pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the importation of ecstasy
and possession of the drug.

 
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