Coffs Harbour man Aravind Periasamy jailed before judgement after pleading guilty to trafficking heroin from Malaysia

A Mid-North Coast man who tried to help smuggle heroin into Australia from Malaysia has asked to go to jail early while he awaits sentencing, but fears the worst for his health with ongoing “rectal bleeding”.

A Mid Coast man who pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin into Australia from Malaysia has surrounded into custody citing bleeding from his anus.

A Coffs Harbour man who tried to help smuggle heroin into Australia from Malaysia has asked to go to jail early while he awaits sentencing, but fears the worst for his health with ongoing “rectal bleeding”.

Aravind Periasamy, 30 appeared before Judge Jonathan Priestley in Lismore District Court on Tuesday, where he requested to be taken into custody.

He sat in the dock in a grey hoodie and jeans with family and friends present in the gallery.

Aravind Periasamy outside Lismore Courthouse August 2024.

In August, Periasamy pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a marketable quantity of an unlawfully imposed border-controlled drug, which was destined for Melbourne.

He has remained on conditional bail since the plea was entered.

On Tuesday, an adjournment was sought because Periasamy could not find treatment for a pressing medical condition, the court heard.

Defence for Periasamy requested a three-month adjournment due to “a number of situations”.

The court heard Periasamy was experiencing bleeding from his anus and required a colonoscopy.

“I don’t want to limit my response in case there is something else that may affect sentencing,” Periasamy’s solicitor said.

Judge Priestley said the circumstances of Periasamy surrendering himself into custody were “somewhat unusual”.

“If he has some dire medical complaint he needs a doctor there (in custody) to clarify it,” Mr Priestley said.

Police said five packages were linked to Periasamy.

Facts state a parcel claiming to contain fishing gear arrived in Australia from Malaysia in October 2022.

The package was addressed to a Woolgoolga property, 25 minutes drive from Coffs Harbour.

Air cargo security detected 1087.16 grams of pure heroin concealed in the parcel resulting in its seizure by Border Force.

Police set up a sting and arrested Periasamy who said he knew drugs were in the package but it would only have “a little bit, not much”.

He was offered $3500 to deliver the package to Melbourne but police believed he had tracked more and his actions were “financially motivated”.

The court heard he was suffering bowel problems and his family were dependent on his income, something Judge Gina O’Rourke disagreed with in his August appearance and said his family were able to work.

Judge Priestley revoked bail, and entered him into custody of three police officers present in the gallery who then lead Periasamy from the court.

The matter was adjourned to February 26.

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