NSW: 15 years jail for heroin importer

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2001
NSW: 15 years jail for heroin importer

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - A Sydney man was today sentenced to 15 years jail for importing
heroin with a street value of $11.4 million into Australia.

James Gey-Houn Ra, of Strathfield, in Sydney's west, brought 5.689 kilograms of pure
heroin into Sydney on an Ansett flight from Hong Kong in July last year.

Downing Centre District Court heard Ra was placed under surveillance by Australian
Federal Police after customs officers found heroin in four decorative columns Ra was importing.

Ra's counsel Trevor Bailey told the court his client, who pleaded guilty to the crime,
had a $200 to $300 a day addiction at the time.

Mr Bailey sought leniency in sentencing from Judge David Freeman, stating that Ra was
a courier nowhere near the top of the importation ring.

He said Ra was "clumsy, conspicuous" and "was certainly very, very bad at his job."

Judge David Freeman disagreed, setting a non-parole period of nine years.

"Mr Ra is a serious and important player even though he may have been a long way from
the top" Judge Freeman said.

Ra will be eligible for parole on July 28, 2010.

AAP mxb/rp/las/de

KEYWORD: RA SENTENCE

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