Darren ‘Stripes’ Mohr launches appeal over 32-year jail sentence for attempting to import half a tonne of cocaine into Australia

Eastern suburbs identity and former cafe king Darren Mohr has launched an appeal against a 32-year jail sentence after he was found guilty of attempting to smuggle half a tonne of cocaine into Australia.

Former Bondi cafe king Darren ‘Stripes’ Mohr previously leaving the NSW Supreme Court. Picture: Dylan Robinson

A former Bondi cafe king jailed for 32 years for attempting to smuggle half a tonne of cocaine into Australia using fishing boats has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

The heavily-tattooed Darren ‘Stripes’ Mohr was found guilty by a jury in 2020 of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of drugs.

The 50-year-old formerly owned a cafe run by lifesavers from the hit television show Bondi Rescue, and was due to make $5 million from the importation.

As previously reported by The Daily Telegraph, the jury heard Mohr organised a vessel to sail from Sydney Fish Market into international waters to collect $150 million worth of drugs from a South American “mother ship” in October 2016.

When handing down her decision, Justice Helen Wilson said the insecure, coke-addicted narcissist flew around the world to arrange the highly sophisticated operation with the former businessman seeking a “faster and more glamorous road to riches” in his “desire for power, prestige and authority”.

Darren Mohr. Photo: Instagram

Darren Mohr during his 2016 arrest. Source: NSW Police

She told the court Mohr was only “second” to the ring’s Thailand-based mastermind known as “Gutterball”.

Before his arrest, Mohr boasted a lavish lifestyle across his social media, with expensive cars and holidays.

However, he struggled with a cocaine addiction since the age of 18 and suffered from depression, a court previously heard.

Mohr told a psychologist that he grew up with privileged peers and aspired for things he couldn’t afford.

In an attempt to overcome his fragile sense of identity and masculinity Justice Wilson said he snorted coke and took performance enhancing drugs to impress women and boost his confidence.

Having been handed an 18-year non-parole period and only eligible for release in January 2037, Mohr has lodged an appeal in the Criminal Court of Appeal.

On Thursday, Mohr’s lawyer Ihab Jamal told the court the defence was looking to run the appeal on September 20 due to the availability of high-profile barrister Bret Walker SC.

The matter was ultimately adjourned to April 24 with the registrar holding concerns with listing the appeal so far into the future.