Darwin drug baron’s cousin latest to be jailed in $20m syndicate

The cousin and ‘closely trusted associate’ of Darwin drug baron, Peter Wellman James, and ‘go-between’ in a conspiracy to import $20m worth of cannabis into the NT has been jailed.

THE cousin and “closely trusted associate” of Darwin drug baron, Peter Wellman James, and “go-between” in a conspiracy to import $20m worth of cannabis into the NT has been jailed for six years.

Michael Lording, 36, codenamed “Zepha”, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to supplying a commercial quantity of the drug and conspiring with James and others in his role in the syndicate.

The court heard that after police seized one consignment of more than 80kg of cannabis shipped from Adelaide in September 2020, James called Lording “in his hour of need”.

“Go for a real quick drive right now,” James said.

“I need you to go. Just get the rest of the shit urgently. Go to the Killarney shed and get the rest of the – um, just that last, like, two or three items out.”

Following the bust, James and his associates scrambled to restart their operations to pay off outstanding debts to their Adelaide suppliers, known as “the Russians”, with the supply chain interruption now pushing the street price up to $6500 per pound.

But before long, detectives swooped again, arresting Lording at his Marlow Lagoon home in early November.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Hoskins with some of the cannabis seized by police. Picture: Che Chorley

Lording also pleaded guilty to supplying commercial quantities of cocaine and MDMA, in a partnership with fellow syndicate member, Corey Graham, in the five months prior to his arrest.

The court heard the pair used “code words” when communicating about the side hustle, referring to a gram of cocaine as a “G” of “white”, which they would meet up to distribute at Darwin nightclub Monsoons.

Graham also pleaded guilty to commercial drug supply and was jailed for eight years in December.

In setting a non-parole period of four years and four months, Justice Peter Barr said he took into account references that described Lording as “hardworking”, as well as “loyal and trustworthy”.

“Your counsel contends that you are known as a ‘genuinely good bloke’, who is always prepared to help,” he said.

Justice Barr said while there was “little doubt you were a participant” in the cannabis ring, “it would seem that your role was ancillary to that of the principals”.

“Although you assisted, you were very much dependent on the efforts of the principals in obtaining further quantities of cannabis,” he said.

“Moreover, it does not appear that the objective of the conspiracy was achieved in any substantial way.”

Peter Wellman James is due to face a sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday.