Facts:
XX was charged by Australian Federal Police in connection with a conspiracy to import and possess 35kg of the prohibited drug, cocaine. The shipment had been imported by a drug syndicate from Mexico and was secreted inside a shipping container. The prosecution alleged that XX had knowledge of the contents of the drugs inside the container and conspired with his co-accused to access and possess the cocaine. XX maintained that he had no such knowledge, and was a legitimate self-employed professional who was unwittingly caught up in the illegal activities of his client and others.
Outcome:
After a jury trial, lasting 10 weeks in duration, wherein a very large number of witnesses were called and ultimately XX gave evidence in his own defence, a District Court jury acquitted XX of the conspiracy charge after a relatively short period of deliberation. XX’s co-accused however were convicted and sentenced to very lengthy periods of imprisonment.
Testimonial
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