Jobseeker caught up in mining town drug mule run

Man charged after police find quantity of drugs in Pringles tin.

Alfred Tui received 15 months suspended sentence for possessing drugs.

IN JUNE 2018, Brisbane man Alfred Tui travelled to Mackay in search of employment, but found himself unwittingly serving as a drug mule – driving 42g of methamphetamine to Moranbah.

To the shock of his religious Samoan family and community, and his friends who hold him in “extremely high regard”, the young, “upstanding citizen” was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of drugs through operation of a vehicle.

On Wednesday morning, Mr Tui, 23, was sentenced in Mackay Supreme Court to 15 months suspended sentence for his role as the driver in the drug drop-off, with the whole term to be suspended if Mr Tui doesn’t commit another offence punishable by prison for two years.

Mr Tui and the co-accused, Johnathon Jeffrey O’Brien, were intercepted on Moranbah Access Rd on July 26, 2018 around 9.30pm.

In the footwell of the passenger side of the can, police found a Pringles can.

In the bottom, obscured by chips and wrapped in a sock, police found two clip-seal bags of methylamphetamine, one containing 27.778 grams and 27.775 grams of substance, with a purity of between 75-76 per cent.

An amount of cash, $420, was also found in the car – which defence lawyer Stephen Byrne said was the remainder of an $1800 birthday present from his family.

Justice David North said Mr Tui was unaware of the purpose of the drive, which he was told he would be paid for.

Alfred Tui received a 15-month suspended sentence for possessing drugs.

However, Justice North also said Mr Tui had his suspicions after hearing Mr O’Brien speaking to someone in code on the phone.

“You’re going to have to be much more careful in the future,” Justice North warned Mr Tui.

“Don’t go along just trusting others and falling in particularly where you have suspicions that they’re up to no good.

“You have now had an experience where you should be aware that you can get in a lot of trouble if you fall in with the wrong type of people. Be careful. This is serious.”

Justice North implored the severity of methylamphetamine and the “significant harm” it has on the community.

“Assisting others even more or less unknowingly to disseminate that drug is serious offending and substantial penalties can be involved,” he said.

“Because of the references, your youth, an absence of any offending in the past and the evidence that you are not a drug user and are drug free, leaves me to conclude that there are more than respectful prospects in your rehabilitation.”

Justice North said Mr Tui’s co-operation with the justice administration was an indication of his remorse.

“You may well be minded to steer clear of drugs and steer clear of unsavoury characters in the future.”