Duke Jenkin guilty to drug trafficking and possession in Dandenong Court

A Carrum Downs carpenter caught trafficking 350g of cocaine and $59,000 in cash has claimed he was “transporting the drugs”.

Duke Jenkin, pleaded guilty in Dandenong Court on June 14, to trafficking cocaine after he was caught with 350g of the drug in February 2023. Picture: Facebook.

A Carrum Downs carpenter caught trafficking 350g of cocaine while in possession of more than $59,000 in cash says he is “just an employee” of a larger operation.

Duke Jenkin, 36, pleaded guilty in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on June 14, to drug trafficking, drug possession, driving unlicensed and driving without an interlocker.

On Friday, the court heard Jenkin was caught driving while suspended on February 1 in 2023, where police undertook a search of his car.

Officers found a bag containing 350g of cocaine and $59,350 in cash, alongside an undisclosed amount of testosterone.

The court heard Jenkin was taken into police custody where he later made a no comment interview.

In court on Friday, Jenkin’s lawyer Avi Furstenberg said his client was an “employee”.

“He was transporting the bag containing the drugs and cash from one place to another,” he said.

“In return he would be given drugs for his own consumption.”

The court was told Jenkin had a prior conviction and had spent time behind bars for trafficking cocaine in 2020.

Jenkin was sentenced to spend nine months behind bars, but will appeal the sentence in the County Court. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mr Furstenburg said Jenkin’s three children served as “powerful motivation” for him to change his life.

“He’s taken stock over the last 12 months,” Mr Furstenberg said.

Magistrate Jacinta Studham said that Jenkin’s driving history alone “warranted” a term of imprisonment.

“This is your 10th driving while suspended charge,” she said.

“You’ve also pleaded guilty to a high level of trafficking.”

Ms Studham said Jenkin’s history with the courts added to the severity of her sentence.

“You’ve had the opportunity of a combination sentence back in 2020 and yet you still find yourself before the courts,” she said.

“You knew what you would be putting at risk by involving yourself in this conduct. Today is a result of the choices you’ve made.”

Ms Studham sentenced Jenkin to nine months behind bars with conviction.

Jenkin was released later in the day on appeal bail and will front the County Court on September 10 to fight his sentence.