Latest news with #Wacol
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Man jailed for 17 years after playing 'key role' in smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Queensland
A man has been jailed for 17 years after playing a "key role" in smuggling more than 26 kilograms of cocaine into Queensland from Colombia inside a shipping container. Earlier this year Mark Anthony Dumenil was found guilty of one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported drugs. It was the second time he faced trial on these charges, after being convicted of the lesser offence by a previous jury, but that was overturned on appeal last year. During a sentencing hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court in Brisbane heard that in January 2018, packages of white powder were detected concealed within a shipping container after arriving in Brisbane. Authorities identified the substance as mostly pure cocaine with a street value of more than $5 million dollars. The substance was swapped out with an imitation drug before the shipping container was sent to its intended address at a warehouse in Wacol. Commonwealth prosecutor Sarah Cartledge told the court Dumenil played a "key role" in organising the drugs to be brought into the country. "He did so with full knowledge of what was to be imported and did so in expectation of significant financial gain," she said. Ms Cartledge told the court Dumenil used his legitimate tyre business to have the shipping container sent to the storage facility he leased in "an effort to avoid attention". "He was involved in extracting [the cocaine] from that shipping container," she said. Ms Cartledge told the court while he and co-offender Hashanth Arjuna Kulatunge removed the drugs and packed them into a suitcase, Dumenil was captured on a covert listening device. "There was a comment… 'We're going to make f****** good money out of this'," she said Mr Dumenil was recorded saying. Both men were arrested after Kulatunge delivered the suitcase of drugs to two other men. The three co-offenders have already been sentenced over their roles in the plot after pleading guilty, serving between eight and 12 years in jail. Justice Peter Callaghan told Dumenil his offending was "all too systematic and deliberate". Justice Callaghan accepted he may not have known exactly how much cocaine was being imported, but knew it would be "truly significant", and rejected defence submissions he was unaware the packages were filled with drugs. "It is not possible to detect even a hint of remorse for your actions," he said. Dumenil, who has already spent just over two years in prison, will be eligible to apply for parole after serving eight years in custody.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Man jailed for 17 years after playing 'key role' in smuggling cocaine from Queensland to Colombia
A man has been jailed for 17 years after playing a "key role" in smuggling more than 26 kilograms of cocaine into Queensland from Colombia inside a shipping container. Earlier this year Mark Anthony Dumenil was found guilty of one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported drugs. It was the second time he faced trial on these charges, after being convicted of the lesser offence by a previous jury, but that was overturned on appeal last year. During a sentencing hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court in Brisbane heard that in January 2018, packages of white powder were detected concealed within a shipping container after arriving in Brisbane. Authorities identified the substance as mostly pure cocaine with a street value of more than $5 million dollars. The substance was swapped out with an imitation drug before the shipping container was sent to its intended address at a warehouse in Wacol. Commonwealth prosecutor Sarah Cartledge told the court Dumenil played a "key role" in organising the drugs to be brought into the country. "He did so with full knowledge of what was to be imported and did so in expectation of significant financial gain," she said. Ms Cartledge told the court Dumenil used his legitimate tyre business to have the shipping container sent to the storage facility he leased in "an effort to avoid attention". "He was involved in extracting [the cocaine] from that shipping container," she said. Ms Cartledge told the court while he and co-offender Hashanth Arjuna Kulatunge removed the drugs and packed them into a suitcase, Dumenil was captured on a covert listening device. "There was a comment… 'We're going to make f****** good money out of this'," she said Mr Dumenil was recorded saying. Both men were arrested after Kulatunge delivered the suitcase of drugs to two other men. The three co-offenders have already been sentenced over their roles in the plot after pleading guilty, serving between eight and 12 years in jail. Justice Peter Callaghan told Dumenil his offending was "all too systematic and deliberate". Justice Callaghan accepted he may not have known exactly how much cocaine was being imported, but knew it would be "truly significant", and rejected defence submissions he was unaware the packages were filled with drugs. "It is not possible to detect even a hint of remorse for your actions," he said. Dumenil, who has already spent just over two years in prison, will be eligible to apply for parole after serving eight years in custody.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Queensland coroner to investigate death in custody of woman charged with daughter's murder
Queensland's coroners office will probe the "bizarre" death of Lauren Flanigan, who was under guard in one of the state's most secure prisons. Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre, located at Wacol, accommodates female prisoners accused of the most serious crimes. Ms Flanigan arrived at the centre on Thursday charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter Sophia Rose, who was found with stab wounds at a home in Moore Park Beach on May 26. On Friday night, the 32-year-old was found unresponsive in her cell. She was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital and placed in the intensive care unit, where she died on Sunday night. The ABC understands Ms Flanigan suffered a medical episode while in her cell. "It's just bizarre that someone can be in a police watch house, and then a prison cell, and then be found unresponsive," said Debbie Kilroy, a prisoner advocate and CEO of Sisters Inside. Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber has been contacted for comment. The Coroners Court of Queensland (CCQ) independently investigates reportable deaths, including every death in custody. An inquest would likely consider the circumstances leading up to Ms Flanigan's death, the supervision she was under at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre, and how she died. The coroner could also determine and make findings to prevent similar deaths from occurring. Queensland Police Service has confirmed it will prepare a report for the coroner regarding the deaths of Ms Flanigan and her daughter Sophia Rose. At the time of her death, Ms Flanigan was awaiting her next court date for the alleged murder of her daughter at the family's home, north of Bundaberg. Last week, police said they were in the early stages of their investigation. Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the community wants answers. "I just think our whole community has gone through an incredible emotional rollercoaster," he said.
