Head of Wellington drug syndicate Kyle Anthony Thompson has been sentenced in Dubbo court.
Kyle Anthony Thompson caught with more than seven kilograms of ice and almost a kilogram of heroin has been jailed until at least 2030.
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A Wellington man who was caught with more than seven kilograms of ice and almost a kilogram of heroin has been jailed until at least 2030.
Kyle Anthony Thompson, 36, appeared for sentencing via audio visual link from Clarence Correctional Centre today in Dubbo District Court.
Thompson was arrested in May 2020 after a year-long investigation by police and was charged with knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, aggravated possession of firearms, corruptly giving or offering an agent a benefit, supply a large commercial quantities of methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin.
He was the principal target of a Strike Force Pinnacle, established to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Wellington area, and was monitored from June 2019 to May 2020.
Investigators found Thompson was the head of a Wellington-based syndicate involved in the supply of prohibited drugs from an up-line supplier in Sydney.
The court heard the supplier conducted 15 runs, delivering prohibited drugs to Thompson, who then engaged relatives and friends to assist in the syndicate.
From June 2019 to May 2020 Thompson received for the purpose of supply 7.08kg of methylamphetamine, 267.66g of cocaine, 903.2g of heroin, and knowingly took part in the supply of 73.7g MDMA.
The criminal activities resulted in significant amounts of wealth for the defendant, according to the facts.
“You were dealing drugs to make a lot of money, correct?” Thompson was asked in court.
“No that isn’t correct, it was to support my habit,” he replied.
On May 27, 2022, detectives searched various locations around Wellington and Dubbo, locating a number of valuable items including $265,820 in hidden cash, 1.4kg of gold bullion worth about $85,000, a Holden Commodore that the offender had recently paid $50,000 to allegedly have “hotted up” and a Harley Davidson motorcycle worth $15,000. The court heard Thompson was unemployed during the time he was being watched by police.
Thompson was also charged over the discovery of 13 unlicensed firearms.
The facts stated that Thompson paid a corrupt correctional officer $15000 to take a quantity of buprenorphine strips into Wellington Correctional Centre.
Mr Thompson who admitted he could not read or write, told the court he wanted a fresh start in life.
“I would like to try and start my life fresh for my kids and for me, I cant keep going back to gaol I have lost enough as it is.”
Judge Smith acknowledged Thompson grew up exposed to crime and violence but said an extended period of incarceration was necessary.
“He grew up in a toxic environment with little parental guidance, he was a talented football player in his younger years, he has limited work history and started using cannabis at 10 and was introduced to ice at 18,” the judge said.
“I accept the alleged murder-suicide that resulted in the death of his mother and father in November 2020 has attributed to the defendant having PTSD.
“I do not accept that he has good prospects of rehabilitation and will not reoffend.”
Thompson was sentenced to 14 years and 3 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years.
With time served, Thompson will be eligible for parole in August 2030.
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