Melbourne man Dean Michael Panczuk tried to smuggle MDMA inside coffee bean bags
A Melbourne man whose plot to smuggle almost $15 million worth of MDMA into the country was foiled by a cluey courier has been jailed for ten years.
Police & Courts
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A Melbourne man busted attempting to possess almost $15 million worth of MDMA smuggled into Australia inside bags of coffee has been jailed for 10 years.
Dean Michael Panczuk, 35, faced life behind bars after he was found guilty of attempting to possess the illicit drugs in 2018.
The father-of-two had claimed he was a mechanic when he was arrested by the Australian Federal Police over the international drug sting after he was dobbed in by a cluey courier company.
The company became suspicious after Panczuk tried to take the drug consignment, which had been sent to an empty shopfront in Melbourne.
The package was instead redirected to the Australian Border Force which uncovered almost 300kg of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) concealed inside bags of coffee beans flown in the Netherlands.
A jury found the Avondale Heights man guilty of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug in December last year.
County Court Judge Susan Cohen said Panczuk, a father of two young children, was likely motivated by money after racking up gambling and drug debts.
Judge Cohen said while Panczuk’s role as consignee in the international syndicate was limited, it was still an example of serious offending.
The court heard Panczuk was deeply remorseful for the “shame” he had brought to his family.
Judge Cohen said she considered the heavy burden on Panczuk’s family and inability for visits at prison meant his infant child would likely go many years without his father having an active role in his life.
“I have been persuaded that some further moderation of the sentence … should be applied,” Judge Cohen said.
Australian Border Force Regional Commander Victoria Craig Palmer said the sentence was a great example of the force working closely with industry stakeholders to identify people attempting to conceal illicit substances in goods crossing our border.
“Protecting the Australian community from harmful and illicit substances is a top priority for the ABF,” Commander Palmer said.
Panczuk was also sentenced to one month each for two summary offences.
A non-parole period of five-and-a-half years was set.
With time served Panczuk’s could be released in under five years.
Anyone who is aware of criminal activity of this kind is urged to contact Border Watch at australia.gov.au/borderwatch
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