Vito Lamberti jailed for trafficking after police find cocaine and ice in Officer house
Vito Lamberti will spend at least nine years behind bars after what police discovered hidden in his parents’ Officer house.
Outer East
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A former Bayswater serial drug trafficker has been locked away for at least nine years after police found drugs and cash hidden in an air-duct cavity at his parents’ house.
Vito Lamberti, who has a “troubling” criminal history, pleaded guilty to three charges — two of trafficking a drug of dependence — a large commercial quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine — and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 34-year-old was charged after police searched Lamberti’s parents’ house in Officer and seized $211,000 in cash, 1.946kg of cocaine — between 80 to 83 per cent purity, and 1.038kgs of ice — between 84 and 85 per cent purity.
According to court documents, during the search police discovered a large quantity of powdered drugs and cash in a cavity behind the air duct in the hallway.
County Court Judge Irene Lawson said both the quantities of drugs were more than a large commercial quantity of “high purity”.
“Those factors all lead to the inference that the drugs were not in your possession for personal use, rather that you were involved in a high level and a well organised and professional drug trafficking business,” Judge Lawson said.
She called it “very” serious offending and said: “Both drugs that were found in your possession have a very real potential to cause great harm in our community.”
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Judge Lawson said because of Lamberti’s “relevant” prior convictions for drug offences, trafficking, and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, she considered he had a high moral culpability.
Court documents reveal Lamberti was previously convicted of drug trafficking and use, dealing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, fire arms offences, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, obtaining property by deception, making and using false documents and unlawful assault.
One of these convictions happened after Lamberti was arrested while living in Bayswater.
“You have admitted your prior criminal history. There are six court appearances that span the period from November 17, 2004 to March 1, 2017,” Judge Lawson said.
“You do have a relevant and troubling prior criminal history.”
Judge Lawson sentenced Lamberti to 15 years’ jail with a non-parole period of nine years.