Cocaine addict Tereapii Pokoina jailed for six years for importing 14kg of pure cocaine from Greece

A ‘naïve’ landscaper and cocaine addict has learned his fate for his involvement in the importation of a huge haul of the drug, which was uncovered as part of Operation Ironside.

A landscaper who used his employer’s business name to import 14kg of pure cocaine because he “loved that drug so much” has been jailed for six years.

Tereapii Pokoina, 49, of Hyde Park was sentenced in the District Court for his role in the August 2020 importation of the cocaine, which was secreted inside two welders shipped from Greece.

The court had earlier heard the shipment, which was uncovered as part of Operation Ironside, was worth an estimated $5m if sold wholesale or up to $20m if sold in street deals.

In sentencing, Judge Rauf Soulio said Pokoina had used his then employer’s address, and arranged a bank transfer of just over $8000 to the overseas shipper. He also paid for customs clearances in Australia to collect the package.

Tereapii Pokoina leaves the District Court where he has pleaded guilty to importing 18kg of cocaine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“The consignment was instead seized by law enforcement authorities,” Judge Soulio said.

Pokoina pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

“It is accepted that you were at the lower level of the known hierarchy but, nevertheless, your conduct was fundamental to the success of the importation,” Judge Soulio said.

“Without you, the drugs would not have made their way to Australia.”

Judge Soulio said it was a “difficult task” to sentence Pokoina because he was a man of otherwise good character. He said Pokoina had been in a “vulnerable state” when he became embroiled in the offending through a “friend” who introduced him to cocaine.

He said Pokoina had told a psychologist that the “friend” had supplied Pokoina with more cocaine while he dealt with the loss of a close family member before asking him to become involved in the importation.

“You said that in hindsight you should have refused to take part in the importation but in the back of your mind you thought that you were going to be cut off from your supply of cocaine … you loved that drug so much,” Judge Soulio said.

He said a psychologist found Pokoina had a level of “naivety” which made him an “easier target for manipulation”.

Judge Soulio said Pokoina had since overcome his addiction and was remorseful and ashamed.

He said that after an earlier dispute, it was now agreed Pokoina expected to receive up to 28g of cocaine for self use and cash totaling less than $40,000 had the importation been successful.

The court heard it was also now agreed that Pokoina had quit his job on the day of the offending because of his “embarrassment” at using his employer’s details.

Pokoina wiped away tears as he was sentenced. After accounting for a 15 per cent plea discount, three weeks in custody and time on bail, Judge Soulio jailed Pokoina for six years and 14 days. He set a non-parole period of three years and 15 days.