R v Choi [2025] NSWDC 22

R v Choi [2025] NSWDC 22

The offender was a courier who imported a commercial quantity of cocaine, was reckless as to the presence of drugs, and acted for financial gain. The nature and circumstances of the offence, the offender’s background, guilty plea, and personal circumstances, justify a head sentence of 5 years with a non-parole period of 2 years and 9 months.

Parties
Crown: Rex; Offender: Jae Young Choi
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
18 February 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Sentence
Outcome
Convicted and sentenced to term of imprisonment with non-parole period fixed.
Legal Topics
Drug Offences, Sentencing, Import/export Border Controlled Prohibited Plant or Drug
Criminal Law Drug Offences Sentencing Import/export Border Controlled Prohibited Plant or Drug

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Parties

Rex

Crown

Jae Young Choi

Offender

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Appropriateness of sentence for importation of commercial quantity of border controlled drug
  2. 2 Fixing of non-parole period
  3. 3 Application of discount for plea of guilty

Ratio Decidendi

The offender was a courier who imported a commercial quantity of cocaine, was reckless as to the presence of drugs, and acted for financial gain. The nature and circumstances of the offence, the offender’s background, guilty plea, and personal circumstances, justify a head sentence of 5 years with a non-parole period of 2 years and 9 months.

Court Disposition

Convicted and sentenced to term of imprisonment with non-parole period fixed.

Orders

  • Term of imprisonment of 5 years from 11 March 2023 to 10 March 2028.
  • Non-parole period of 2 years and 9 months to expire on 10 December 2025.