Terminally Ill Drug Runner Freed After $92m Meth Bust Appeal Success
In a dramatic legal reversal, a man convicted for his pivotal role in one of Western Australia's largest methamphetamine importations has been acquitted after spending nearly a decade behind bars. Fook Choi Ching, now terminally ill, will be deported following his successful appeal against convictions related to the infamous Mega Profit II drug bust.
The $92 Million Methamphetamine Operation
The case centred on an international syndicate that imported a staggering 182 kilograms of ice into Western Australia, with an estimated street value of $91 million. Ching was among seven Malaysian and Chinese men convicted in 2017 for their involvement in this massive operation, described as one of the biggest ice hauls in the state's history.
During an epic Supreme Court trial, prosecutors detailed how the fishing trawler named Mega Profit II stopped approximately 100 kilometres off the Mid West coast. Under cover of early morning darkness, a tender was launched to transport the drugs to a remote beach for collection.
Ching's Role and Defence Arguments
The prosecution alleged that Ching was among three men who waited to receive 15 bags containing the drugs at the landing site. They reportedly loaded the contraband into vehicles and transported it to a Wilbinga rest stop, where it was handed over for distribution—a process allegedly coordinated by a man known as Fat Boy.
Subsequent police raids on safe houses in East Cannington and Embleton uncovered the 80 per cent pure methamphetamine. Crucially, cigarette butts bearing Ching's DNA were discovered at the remote beach landing location.
Throughout the proceedings, Ching maintained that he did not know the bags contained methamphetamine. He argued instead that he believed they contained illicit tobacco or alcohol, claiming ignorance of the drug operation's true nature.
Appeal Court's Groundbreaking Ruling
In a spectacular ruling this week, the full bench of the WA Court of Appeal identified significant errors in the original trial judge's directions to the jury. The appeal judges determined that the trial judge had misstated crucial evidence from a Border Force officer regarding duty applicable to tobacco imports, effectively labelling it irrelevant to the case.
Furthermore, the directions gave jurors the impression that testimony from an Organised Crime Squad detective—who stated that lower-level participants in drug cartels often have limited knowledge of operations—could be considered speculative and outside his expertise.
The cumulative effect of those directions had the effect of undermining very significant aspects of the appellant's case, the appeal judges concluded in their ruling.
From 23-Year Sentence to Terminal Release
Following his original conviction, Ching received a 23-year prison sentence with eligibility for parole after 15 years. Having already served nearly ten years in custody, he now faces a very short life expectancy due to terminal illness.
The appeal judges acknowledged prosecutors' cooperation in ensuring a speedy and fair hearing given Ching's medical condition. Rather than ordering a retrial, the court acquitted Ching, who will now be deported from Australia.
This case highlights the complex legal considerations surrounding organised crime prosecutions, particularly when defendants claim limited knowledge of criminal operations while facing severe health challenges in custody.
