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Lucky day in court


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www.gcbulletin.com.au

 

IT was Finks bikie Graeme Anthony Keating's 'lucky day' in court yesterday as he was given a 'very light' sentence for large-scale wholesale drug trafficking.

 

Justice John Byrne made the comments as he sentenced Keating, 42, of Labrador, in the Supreme Court, in Brisbane, for one count of supplying methylamphetamine and one count of trafficking cannabis.

 

Keating pleaded guilty to supplying drugs to convicted drug baron Charlie Cannon and trafficking large amounts of cannabis, sourced from as far away as South Australia.

 

After Keating was led into the dock, several supporters entered the court to watch proceedings.

 

They stayed throughout the proceedings and left after Keating was taken into custody.

 

After telling the court how Keating was caught in a National Crime Authority and police operation into local drug production in 2002 and 2003, Crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell said a five-year sentence suspended after 18 months was appropriate.

 

When Justice John Byrne expressed his surprise at that, Mr Campbell said he was constrained by other cases. He citied the sentence of one of the co-accused, who on-sold cannabis supplied by Keating, who was given five years' jail suspended after 18 months.

 

Justice Byrne said the amount of methylamphetamine in Keating's case was the largest single amount he had dealt with and expressed his surprise a higher sentence was not sought.

 

"It sounds very light to me," he said. "It's Mr Keating's lucky day."

 

When sentenced, Keating, who was wearing a bright blue suit, yellow shirt and multi-coloured tie, remained passive as he was led away to jail.

 

Fellow Gold Coast drug trafficker Boyd Keith Cogzell was also sentenced by Justice Byrne yesterday.

 

Cogzell, 30, of Nerang, pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis for eight months in 2005, possessing cannabis, and other minor charges.

 

He was given the a five-year sentence, suspended after 12 months.

 

In court to see his appearance were his parents and friends while his girlfriend waited outside in tears. His mother also sobbed.

 

Despite differences in the men's cases, the actual time they would serve in prison only differed by six months.

 

Cogzell was described as a 'street-level' dealer who sold small amounts of cannabis to friends to fund his own addiction.

 

He had a history of mental illness and was able to claim the benefit of an early plea of guilty.

 

The court was told Cogzell made about $60,000 over the eight months and police seized 5.5kg of cannabis from his home during a raid.

 

Keating was described as a 'large-scale wholesaler of cannabis' and someone who was prepared to sell large amounts of methylamphetamine.

 

His crimes were discovered during an undercover operation that unearthed links to major drug criminals on the Coast.

 

The prosecution said police had only been able to intercept one of Keating's mobile phones, but knew he had several others.

 

Mr Campbell said although he could present no direct evidence, it was obvious Keating could get access to large amounts of methamphetamine in a short period of time.

 

He also said the trafficking included buying 7kg cannabis packs worth about $50,000 several times for distribution on the Coast and in Brisbane.

 

Outside court, lawyer for both men, Bill Potts, said he felt the sentences were appropriate.

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