The mastermind behind a billion-dollar methamphetamine smuggling operation has appealed his life sentence, five-and-a-half years after the drugs were seized in Geraldton, Western Australia. Jabour Lahood, 57, was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 26 years for his role in importing 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, valued at up to $1.1 billion.
Supreme Court Justice Michael Corboy described Lahood as being 'at the heart of the operation' and noted the 'massive' quantity of drugs, which had a purity of around 80 per cent. The smuggling involved a vessel, the Valkoista, collecting 60 bags of meth in a late-night mid-ocean rendezvous with an 'Asian mothership', verified by a half-torn Hong Kong banknote.
Four other men were also sentenced to decades in jail. Peter Harb, 49, who organised the ground crew, received 29 years and six months with a 21-year minimum. Serupepeli Rasaubale, 39, was sentenced to 32 years with a 22-year minimum, and Khalid Kaena, 57, was given 28 years with an 18-year minimum. Valkoista skipper Joshua Smith had earlier received a life sentence with a 19-year non-parole period after pleading guilty.
The operation was the culmination of months of investigations, including a secret recording device on the Valkoista that captured the drug transaction. When the vessel returned to Geraldton, heavily armed police pounced, arresting three men on board and three ground crew members. Two more were arrested in Perth, and two alleged organisers were taken into custody in New South Wales.
Justice Corboy said he had not been able to find any other cases where sentences had been imposed for such a large quantity of drugs. Lahood's appeal is ongoing.
