Federal prosecutors call for Adelaide boy, 16, to be sentenced as an adult for importing and trafficking almost 1kg of ecstasy

EXCLUSIVE: A 16-year-old Adelaide boy who imported a large amount of ecstasy could be jailed as an adult — because authorities say other teenagers are also using the internet to become drug kingpins.

An Adelaide boy, 16, has admitted importing and trafficking in almost 1kg of MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Picture: Supplied.

CHILDREN as young as 16 are using the internet to set themselves up as drug dealers, importing thousands of pills without adult or crime gang involvement, a court has heard.

On Friday, federal prosecutors urged the Youth Court to order a teenage dealer be sentenced as an adult for importing almost 1kg of ecstasy into Adelaide.

They said the boy was solely responsible for — and stood to solely benefit from — trafficking in 155 times the amount of drugs recognised, under law, as a marketable quantity.

John Clover, for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, said a maximum 10-year adult prison term was the only way to deter the boy from reoffending — and others from copying him.

He said the state’s Young Offenders Act — which requires a judge to prioritise the “care, correction and guidance” of a youth — was trumped by federal anti-drugs legislation.

“He was not some low-level player in a criminal hierarchy, he was the principal player in his own enterprise and was going to ultimately benefit,” he said.

“It’s now open for children, through the internet and other means, to operate these types of enterprises themselves, and it’s important to deter others.

“Recently, another teenager imported 14g of heroin and another brought in 65g of illicit drugs.

“Federal law requires drug dealers receive a sentence of appropriate severity, and primacy cannot be given to rehabilitation if that means a youth will not receive one.”

The boy, 16, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to importing two parcels of MDMA, weighing 771.5g and 77.5g respectively, between June and July last year.

On Friday, Mr Clover said the evidence “clearly established” the boy was running his own business.

“Text messages he sent during the period show him discussing the sale of drugs, specifically MDMA, and also contained a price list,” he said.

“Both packages were addressed to his home (at which) police found multiple bags of pills — with more in his vehicle — and $5000 cash and electronic scales with a residue of MDMA.”

“He performed Google searches on laundering money and where to buy 5kg of MDMA, and had an unposted Facebook status which read ‘I am a drug dealer’.”

The 16-year-old boy appeared in the Youth Court — but federal prosecutors want him jailed as an adult. Picture: Greg Higgs

He said the Youth Court’s “limited” jurisdiction meant the boy would escape an appropriate sentence for his crimes, and his case should be referred to the District Court.

Michelle Barnes, for the boy, said her client had confessed, co-operated and, since his arrest, successfully rehabilitated through juvenile treatment programs.

She disputed the CDPP’s assertions, saying her client was no drug kingpin, and asked his case remain in the Youth Court.

“There is no evidence to show he is the person who ordered or paid for the MDMA, and he instructs he became involved at the suggestion of others,” she said.

“His role was to collect the drugs and pass them on.”

Judge Penny Eldridge will hand down her decision in two weeks.

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