Chinese National Faces Deportation After Rivervale Drug Bust Minder Role
A Chinese national who acted as a minder for a significant drug stash in Perth has been sentenced to eight years in prison and now faces deportation upon release. Fengliang Su, 36, was found guilty of possessing heroin and methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, following a police operation in Rivervale.
Gambling Debt Led to Criminal Involvement
Su, who was working in the cladding industry in Sydney, had been sending earnings to his family overseas until he developed gambling and drug habits. This left him approximately $5,000 in debt to his boss in the construction sector.
In January 2024, his boss instructed him to fly to Perth to monitor nearly 1 kilogram of methylamphetamine and 342 grams of heroin at a Rivervale residence. He was promised future work in cladding for new apartment developments as an incentive.
Police Operation and Arrest
When a collector arrived to retrieve only a portion of the drugs, Su engaged in a heated phone conversation with his boss, refused to hand over any substances, and went to sleep. Police, who had been surveilling the operation, then entered the home, woke him, and discovered the drugs nearby.
District Court of Western Australia Judge Carmel Barbagallo noted during sentencing that Su showed little genuine remorse beyond his guilty pleas. She emphasized the destructive nature of the drugs, stating, "They are truly evil drugs, and you are part of the problem. Don’t think that you aren’t."
Sentencing and Deportation Prospects
Judge Barbagallo sentenced Su to eight years in jail, with eligibility for parole after six years. She highlighted his outstanding arrest warrant in New South Wales and the likelihood of deportation to China after serving his sentence, as he is in Australia on a bridging visa.
The judge remarked on the long-term consequences of his actions, saying, "You only need to look at how your involvement in the distribution of drugs of addiction has affected your life, and how it will come to affect every aspect of your life for some time to come."
Su's former boss is scheduled to face trial in Perth next month, adding another layer to this criminal case. This incident underscores the severe legal repercussions for drug-related offences in Western Australia, particularly for non-citizens involved in such activities.
