Chief judge orders Rocky bikie Jimmy O’Brien to pay $14m

Rockhampton bikie Jimmy O'Brien has been ordered by Chief Justice Tim Carmody to pay $14million to the State

Rockhampton bikie and convicted drug dealer, Jimmy O'Brien

THEY produced hundreds of kilograms of speed worth more than $28 million from 1997 to 2003.

Now a Rockhampton bikie and a Mackay meth cook will have their ill-gotten millions forfeited to the state.

Mackay man Michael Paul Falzon and Rockhampton bikie James Thomas O'Brien (pictured) have been jailed since 2008 and 2009 respectively for their part in a multi-million dollar drug ring.

Last year Falzon claimed to the Brisbane Supreme Court their operation was far smaller than police claimed and said witness evidence was inconsistent and could not be relied on.

But Chief Justice Tim Carmody dismissed the claims, finding Falzon and O'Brien had produced 200kg of meth, selling it for $88,184 a kilogram.

"I find that the market value for methylamphetamine between 1998 and 2003 was $40,000 per pound, or $88,184 per kilogram," he said.

"Furthermore, having regard to the business acumen of the respondents and the sophisticated nature of their operation, I infer that the methylamphetamine was in fact sold at market value.

"Accordingly, the total value of the proceeds derived from the 200kg of methylamphetamine distributed by the respondents is $17,636,800."

Taking into account inflation since 2003, Justice Carmody said the operation was worth $28,102,477.12 in 2015 money.

Justice Carmody ordered they forfeit $14,051,238.56 each to the State of Queensland as proceeds of crime.

Originally published as Chief judge orders Rocky bikie Jimmy O’Brien to pay $14m