Middle child who ‘always felt left out’ gets sent to jail over 144kg methamphetamine haul

A man has been jailed after police caught him with 217lbs (144kg) of what he thought was methamphetamine. 

Nine News reported officers had already intercepted the original 763lbs (360kg) import from Malaysia and switched the ice for salt before Trent James, 38, picked up part of the delivery in June 2020.

At the time, James ran a stone import business and used his company's warehouse in Cheltenham to hide the nine boxes of drugs.

The shipment of each box contained 44 lbs (20kg) of crystal methamphetamine in 2.2lbs (1kg) bags, which had a purity of more than 80 per cent.

Australian Federal Police

The delivery, which was concealed with household furniture, arrived in Australia on June 4, 2020, and was intercepted by Federal Police four days later.

Police later installed cameras at James’ work, where they watched him unload the package at the factory.

As James opened the delivery, he was surprised to find that the substance had no smell, unlike the usually vinegary odor of methamphetamine.

James was sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison this week after pleading guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance in County Court.

Google Maps, County Court

According to Judge Michael Cahill, after finding the boxes had been replaced with salt, James set fire to the packages while emptying the remains in the toilet cubicle, as per Yahoo! News.

The outlet also reported that James was the middle child of three brothers growing up. However, always felt neglected in the family, which he claims led him to turn to drugs when he was 13.

As his life continued to spiral, he was expelled from school when he was 16.

Following his expulsion, James started up his own combat sports event business, which has helped Australian athletes compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

James has already spent two years in custody since his arrest in June 2020.

He was described in court as a ‘rock’ and always willing to help those around him despite his own circumstance.

Judge Cahill also ordered him to serve eight years and nine months before being eligible for parole.