Accused was ‘just helping a mate’

ONE of two men accused of importing nearly a kilogram of the drug MDMA to Tasmania from Spain has told a court he was just “helping a mate” when he repeatedly called Australia Post asking when the parcel would be delivered.

Toby John Della Valle gave evidence in a Supreme Court trial in Launceston yesterday and said he was asked to find out about the package by a friend, who he refused to name, even when prosecutor Garth Stevens asked if the friend was co-accused, Shea Alex Gibbling.

Mr Della Valle and Mr Gibbling, have pleaded not guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

The court has previously heard the parcel was intercepted on arrival in Australia and the drugs removed, before Australian Federal Police authorised a “controlled delivery” of the package to a West Tamar Highway property, where Mr Della Valle and Mr Gibbling were staying at the time.

Mr Della Valle called Australia Post on October 4, 2017 — the day before an undercover police officer delivered the parcel and the home was subsequently raided — and became frustrated when the operator couldn’t give him a precise delivery time.

Mr Gibbling began his evidence yesterday, telling the court he took delivery of the parcel when it arrived and immediately went inside and gave the box to Mr Della Valle.

Mr Della Valle and Mr Gibbling are also facing trafficking charges, relating to MDMA that was found.

The trial continues.