Illawarra mum Lily Despatoski spared jail over involvement in major Illawarra drug syndicate
A young mum has admitted she constantly feared she would get caught, after becoming involved in a major cannabis syndicate.
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An Illawarra mum has escaped a full-time jail sentence after participating in a major cannabis syndicate, telling a magistrate she worried about getting caught “all the time”.
Lily Despatoski was sentenced to a 12-month prison sentence to be served in the community by way of intensive corrections order at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, after she allowed her husband Goran to allegedly run drug supply operations from their home and openly discussed syndicate business with him.
The couple were arrested at their Gipps St home on December 20, 2018, after detectives established Strike Force Burgh to investigate the ongoing supply of cannabis between Wollongong and Sydney.
The 11-month investigation culminated in sweeping raids, which included the couple’s home, after detectives began listening in on Goran’s phone calls to establish his alleged involvement in the syndicate.
In documents tendered to the court, it is alleged Goran purchased large quantities of cannabis from up-line Vietnamese suppliers around Heathcote and Bankstown, before bringing it back to Wollongong, where it was weighed and bagged into smaller quantities for sale.
Late last year, Lily admitted to knowing about Goran’s dealings and openly discussing the operations of the syndicate, pleading guilty to supply prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group.
Court documents said after bugging the couple’s Gipps St home, police discovered Lily would discuss the quality and quantity of cannabis with her husband, as well as their finances.
But, court documents say while she was “clearly aware” of her husband’s alleged illegal activities, she was not directly involved “in the planning, organising or carrying out of any particular supplies”.
She did, however, admit to sharing her home for the purpose of cannabis “preparation and storage”.
On one occasion in July last year, police recorded Lily accompany Goran to Sydney to pick up five pounds of cannabis, court documents revealed.
In court on January 22, Magistrate Michael Stoddart slammed Lily for getting involved in her husband’s alleged dealings, when they had a young baby to think about.
“What I have difficulty trying to understand is why, as a mother, you would put your child in such a position where mum could be locked up for a very long time,” he said.
“Didn’t you ever think to yourself, ‘what if we got caught?’.”
Lily admitted she thought about the consequences of her involvement “heaps of times”, but said she “couldn’t get out of it”.
Magistrate Stoddart said it was apparent Lily had “let a lot of people down” with her involvement in the cannabis ring, but said she only had herself to blame.
“I appreciate it was a domestic situation and that was difficult,’’ he said.
“But you willingly participated and you put yourself in this position.”
In sentencing Lily, Magistrate Stoddart said she had good prospects of rehabilitation, noting she had a good job and that people “speak very highly” of her.
While sentencing her to 12-months jail, he ordered she complete the prison term in the community, and complete 200 hours of community service work.
“Be under no illusion that this is a 12 month jail sentence,” he said.
“These are very serious offences.”
Goran, who remains in custody, is facing 45 charges relating to the supply of a prohibited drug. He is yet to enter to enter pleas.