Finks Bikie Jailed for Drug Trafficking
A FINKS bikie member who supplied an undercover cop with more than $90,000 worth of ecstasy and speed has been jailed for trafficking methamphetamines and MDMA on the Gold Coast.
Darren James Watson last week pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane to two counts of drug trafficking and six counts of supplying a dangerous drug and possession of a Mercedes-Benz motorcycle police said was used as part of the offending.
Watson, also known as Tama Lewis, was arrested in October, 2009, after a covert Australian Crime Commission (ACC) investigation Operation Creed into the Finks motorcycle and the drug trade.
The 27-year-old also pleaded guilty to five charges of the Commonwealth offence of failing to answer questions at a specially-convened ACC hearing in November, 2009.
Prosecutor Sarah Dennis said the trafficking charges related to methamphetamines and MDMA over two separate periods.
The first, between late 2005 to June 2007, came to light after a drug addict, who purchased an estimated $110,000 from Watson, turned police informant.
The court heard he later sold about $90,600 of illicit drugs to an undercover police officer.
Defence barrister Anthony Kimmins said his client exaggerated his involvement in the drug trade during conversations with the officer in an effort to “big note himself”.
He said the poor drug purity about eight per cent for the ecstasy and 26 per cent for the MDMA – was an indication he was not high in the drug syndicate.
In sentencing Watson this morning Justice Daubney said while he recognised his youth at the time of the offences, drug addiction, difficult childhood and attempts to rehabilitate but said the trafficking was serious.
“You are the only person to decide if you want to move away from this lifestyle and make something of you life,” Justice Daubney said.
Watson was sentenced to eight years’ jail for trafficking, one year for supplying drugs and four months for failing to answer the ACC questions, to be served concurrently.
Outside court defence lawyer Mark Williams said Watson was very happy with the outcome. “With the amount of rehabilitation he has already completed, he is looking to re-entering the community with his family and moving forward with his life, ” Mr Williams said.
Watson will be eligible for parole in August 2014.
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