Push ice, you pay the price

Tough penalty a ‘must’ as deterrent

TASMANIA is at risk of becoming a “niche market” for the drug ice if significant deterrent sentences are not handed down, says a Crown prosecutor in the appeal case of a convicted drug trafficker and gunrunner.

In June in the Supreme Court in Launceston, Justice Robert Pearce sentenced Shadi Farhat, 40, to six years imprisonment.

He is not eligible for parole until half that sentence is served.

Farhat was convicted in 2013 of unlawfully trafficking firearms, trafficking in crystal methylamphetamine, or ice, and dealing with the proceeds of crime after being found guilty by a jury.

His co-accused, Mickael Bechara, 39, pleaded guilty to the same charges plus one of perverting justice.

The two NSW men were caught at Launceston airport with two suitcases full of firearms and $152,000 in cash.

The court heard Farhat and Bechara had an unregistered .22 semi-automatic Ruger pistol with a silencer, a .32 selfloading pistol and two revolvers which had their serial numbers removed, when caught preparing to fly to Sydney.

Justice Pearce said the firearms were payment for drugs.

He said Farhat and Bechara had sourced drugs in Sydney and brought them to Tasmania in about 20 trips in an operation which grossed up to $300,000.

Justice Pearce said Bechara’s criminality was marginally higher because he was the senior member of the syndicate.

He was sentenced to 6½ years with a non-parole period of 45 months.

Farhat appealed his sentence in the Court of Criminal Appeal in Hobart yesterday,

Farhat’s lawyer Greg Melick said there was an insufficient difference between Farhat and Bechara’s sentences and “there should be consistency between co-accused.”

The court heard Farhat will spend most of his time behind bars in protective custody due to threats from Bechara and Mr Melick argued protective custody was more onerous and resulted in a greater loss of liberty.

Mr Melick said Farhat was entitled to a discount on his sentence as he had previously assisted police by giving them information relating to the case and others involving the supply of drugs to Tasmania.

Crown prosecutor John Ransom said Justice Pearce’s sentence was not harsh or plainly unjust.

Mr Ransom said significant sentences were necessary in cases such as these to act as a deterrent to others.

“We are an island — this substance [ice] comes in via air and sea,” he said.

“We are in danger of becoming a niche market [for drug importation]. Public deterrence must play a major role in any sentence.”

The court reserved its decision.