Daniel Akkari sentenced for attempting to transport $40,000 of methamphetamine to Port Lincoln

A pizza shop owner with a coke problem will be able to keep his business after he dodged jail for transporting a large amount of meth across SA to pay off debts.

A man with a coke problem made a foolish decision when he agreed to act as a courier to pay off his debts.

Daniel Akkari, 25, will still be able to run his pizza business after he narrowly avoided jail for transporting $40,000 of drugs across South Australia.

The Adelaide District Court on Tuesday heard that Akkari was pulled over on the Lincoln Hwy at North Shields on August 25, 2020.

“Police were acting on information that you had illicit drugs in your vehicle,” Judge Timothy Heffernan said during sentencing.

Police found a large resealable bag containing 138g of a crystal substance, of which 64g was methamphetamine.

The court heard Akkari initially denied knowing the drugs were there.

“You now acknowledge that you were trafficking methamphetamine as a courier for someone else,” Judge Heffernan said.

Daniel Akkari was handed a home detention sentence for drug trafficking. Picture: Facebook

“You were prevailed upon by the person who sold cocaine to you to transport the methamphetamine to Port Lincoln.”

The court heard Akkari planned to drive to Port Lincoln, check into a hotel and leave the car unlocked where the drugs would be removed.

“You were promised an amount of $3000 on your return … you did not receive that money because you were arrested,” Judge Heffernan said.

The court heard the drugs found were valued at $40,000.

Akkari, of Wallaroo, had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.

The court heard Akkari owns a pizza shop in Kadina and would lose his business if he was given an immediate jail term.

“Covid-19 had a financial impact on the enterprise and you found yourself with debt,” Judge Heffernan said.

The court heard Akkari, who acted as a courier to fund his cocaine problem, has strong family support and has not consumed drugs since his arrest.

“You say that you have disassociated with acquaintances who were exerting a negative influence on your life,” Judge Heffernan said.

Judge Heffernan sentenced Akkari to three years and four months jail, with a non parole period of 22 months.

“The value of the drugs was significant … which represents a large number of potential street dealers,” he said.

“The social damage caused by methamphetamine is insidious and well known.”

Judge Heffernan ordered the sentence be served on home detention.