Rebels bikie gang ice suppliers to pay back millions in state’s highest-ever proceeds of crime decision

THEY built a massive financial portfolio with millions of dollars in buried cash, real estate and cars. But now it’s payback time ... and the sum they’ve been ordered to hand over is staggering.

Fallen drug producer Michael Paul Falzon, who was sentenced to 10 years’ jail in 2009, has been ordered to pay the state more than $14 million.

TWO fallen drug producers have been ordered to pay $28 million in Queensland’s highest-ever proceeds of crime decision that trumps even that of Queensland Health fraudster and fake Tahitian prince Joel Morehu-Barlow.

Rebels bikie gang ice suppliers James Thomas O’Brien and Michael Paul Falzon had built a massive financial portfolio with millions of dollars in buried cash, bank accounts, real estate, earthmoving equipment and custom motor vehicles.

But the Crime and Corruption Commission pursued the two kingpins of a “sophisticated commercial drug trafficking enterprise” for their ill-gotten gains in an 11-year-long proceeds of crime action in the Supreme Court.

Both Rebels drug lords, O’Brien of Rockhampton, and Falzon of Mackay, are serving lengthy prison sentences for their part in ­producing ice and trafficking it throughout Australia through a sophisticated ­underbelly network.

Ice supplier James Thomas O’Brien poses in front of a pile of cash.

They were each ordered to pay the state $14,051,238.56 accrued in producing 200kg of methylamphetamine, sold at a market value of $88,184 per kilogram, including compound interest between 1997 and 2003.

It is the largest-ever order under the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 and surpasses the $20,058,389 order for the treasure-trove of loot fraudulently obtained by fake prince Morehu-Barlow.

Acting CCC chairman, Dr Ken Levy, said despite the massive sums of drug money involved it showed crime did not pay.

“Criminals must understand that law enforcement will work together to remove the profit motive for organised crime,’’ Dr Levy said.

“Not only will you be caught ... you’ll end up with no money, no assets and a debt to the state of Queensland.”

In 2008, O’Brien was convicted of unlawfully trafficking methylamphetamine and cannabis sativa.

He was also convicted of seven counts of unlawfully producing methylamphetamine and was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Falzon was convicted in 2009 of unlawfully trafficking methylamphetamine and unlawfully producing methylamphetamine. He was sentenced to 10 years’ jail.