Edward Nguyen, 27, awaits fate after being caught with 25kg of cannabis in Adelaide Airport bust

A gambling addict who was busted with 25kg of cannabis inside luggage at Adelaide Airport has been told by a judge not to hold any false hope for sentencing.

A man who was busted with a quarter of a million dollars worth of cannabis at Adelaide Airport has been told not to hold onto any false hope for sentencing.

Edward Nguyen, 27, awaits his fate after he foolishly agreed to be a “trusted courier” to pay off his gambling debt.

The drugs had already been checked in for boarding before they were discovered by airport staff in May.

It is understood the sealed bags of cannabis had not been picked up by the airport’s X-ray machines.
During sentencing submissions on Thursday, a prosecutor said it was accepted that Nguyen’s role was that of a “trusted courier” but he still played an essential role in the operation.

Edward Nguyen pleaded guilty to trafficking in a marketable quantity of a controlled drug. Photo: 7NEWS

Nguyen was charged after Australian Federal Police discovered 25kg of cannabis inside checked luggage at Adelaide Airport. Picture: Australian Federal Police

The court heard the cannabis was worth over $250,000 if sold in ounces. Picture: Australian Federal Police

The court heard the 25kg of cannabis could have yielded a profit of up to $165,710 if sold in pounds and up to $268,466 if sold in ounces.

The prosecutor said they rejected Nguyen’s claims that it was an isolated act, pointing to the fact that Nguyen had flown to Sydney, then Perth and back to Adelaide over a 36 hour period in April.

“There are six flights total, which I would submit are highly suspicious in that either involve short stays in the capital city … or (he) flew back on the same day,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard Nguyen was also found with two mobile phones, one of which was a dedicated encryption communication device, which he declined to give police a password for.

Nguyen pleaded guilty to trafficking in a marketable quantity of a controlled drug.

Christina Chrisakis, for Nguyen, told the court it couldn’t be proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was actively couriering drugs on other occasions.

The court heard a psychologist determined Nguyen satisfied the diagnostic criteria for a pathological gambling disorder, as well as being a people pleaser.

“Which somewhat explains why he when presented with the offer to pay off the debt in this way, he complied,” Ms Chrisakis said.

The court heard Nguyen, who is studying a certificate in fitness, had commenced counselling and hadn’t gambled since his arrest.

Ms Chrisakis asked the court to consider a community based sentence for her client due to his remorse, lack of criminal history and need to help his mother with health issues.

Judge Ian Press ordered a home detention report but told Nguyen not to hold any false hope.

“The fact that there were 25kg of cannabis involved here is a serious hurdle for Mr Nguyen in relation to any community based sentence,” he said.

He will sentence Nguyen in April.

Originally published as Edward Nguyen, 27, awaits fate after being caught with 25kg of cannabis in Adelaide Airport bust