Levent Saracoglu jailed for $5 million Sydney cocaine border bust

A Lismore court heard the man became entangled in a Canadian cocaine scheme when he offered to pick up the illegal package for cash.

The illegal Canadian cocaine import was sent to a Sydney parcel locker but then diverted by police. ​

A Sydney man will go to jail for his role as an attempted courier of 1.526kg of cocaine illegally imported from Canada, a Lismore court heard.

In June a jury found Levent Saracoglu, 44, guilty of attempting to possess a marketable quantity of a unlawfully imported border control drug.

In Lismore District Court on Friday he was sentenced to six years jail, backdated to April 1 2020.

Judge Warwick Hunt told the court police became aware of the imported package when they intercepted an international package using the stolen identity of a Newtown resident in early January 2020.

Border force examined the package and found 1.526kg of pure cocaine, estimated to have a retail value of $5 million.

The package was due to be sent to a 24/7 parcel locker but authorities removed the cocaine and replaced it with a false substance before asking Australian Post officials to change the delivery method to an in-person post office.

It is then, Judge Hunt detailed, that Turkish-born Saracoglu came into play, though accounts differed from defence and Commonwealth prosecution perspectives.

Defence Barrister Brian Joyce said Saracoglu’s car had broken down on Botany Rd when he came into contact with Sydney Accident Management Centre repair shop, whose address had been tied to the package.

He alleged Saracoglu was offered money, between $1000 and $1500, from those in the repair shop to fix his car if he picked up the parcel.

“He was a person who was vulnerable to the suggestion, he did not have any knowledge or belief that the parcel contained drugs,” Mr Joyce said.

“He was not so much a trusted person but potentially a dupe to pick these things up.”

Saracoglu faced Lismore District Court for sentencing.

Judge Hunt said it couldn’t be found that the Sydney Accident Management Centre address linked to the criminal dealings nor that Saracoglu was only involved in the illegal proceedings for a matter of hours.
However, Judge Hunt conceded Saracoglu’s involvement could only be limited to January 23 and agreed he was not trusted by those attempting to get the cocaine.

This was further proved by the fact Saracoglu was driven to the post office and monitored until police officers arrived, he said.

“I do make the observation he was the perfect person to be put in the role of collecting the package when there was a high likelihood of him having come to detection,” Judge Hunt said.

At the time, Saracoglu was also on an Intensive Corrections Order for the supply and possession of a prohibited drug.

“I accept the Crown submission that every link or cog in the chain of drug importation … is a serious example of offending,” he said.

“His role here was essential and had he not conducted his role the attempt to import would not have moved forward.”

Judge Hunt noted migrating to Australia at the age of one, and trouble at school due to a language barrier resulted in a “difficult upbringing.”

He convicted Saracoglu and sentenced him to a non-parole period of four years.

He will be eligible for release in March 2024.