Indian-origin couple pleads guilty on drug smuggling charges in Australia
Indian-origin couple pleads guilty on drug smuggling charges in Australia
An Indian-origin couple who imported a border control drug got arrested in Australia on drug smuggling charges last year, got respite on Monday from an Adelaide court that released the husband on a ‘good behaviour bond’ as part of a plea bargain.
He was sentenced to nine months in prison but the judge ordered that he be released on a two-year ‘good behaviour bond’ of 500 dollars.
Singh along with his 53-year old wife Jasbinder were arrested in October last year. It was alleged that the couple was carrying the drug which was mixed with another substance and was placed inside shampoo and talcum powder tins and packed with chillis.
Immigration Department officers were present in court for the hearing and escorted the couple “for interview”.
Singh’s lawyer Jessica Kurtzer told the court the plea bargain reflected the unique circumstances of the case. She said an Indian hospital had legally prescribed her client opium for irritable bowel syndrome – only for him to become addicted.
