Aussie pilot Cutmore jailed 18 years for cocaine trafficking

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

File pic

Aussie pilot Cutmore jailed 18 years for cocaine trafficking

PORT MORESBY: Aussie pilot David John Cutmore was jailed 18 years for trafficking 611kg of cocaine worth A$141,164, 100 (K340 million) from Central to Australia two years ago.

Judge Teresa Berrigan said it was a deliberate, well-planned offence, conducted for profit and concerned criminal property of enormous value to organized criminals.

The court proceedings were published by The National:

Cutmore jailed 18 years

October 31, 2022The NationalMain Stories

David Cutmore

AN Australian pilot, who tried to transport 611.1kgs of cocaine worth A$141,164,100 (K340 million) from Central to Australia two years ago has been jailed 18 years by the National Court in Waigani.
Judge Teresa Berrigan, in jailing David John Cutmore for money laundering, said it was a deliberate, well-planned offence, conducted for profit and concerned criminal property of enormous value to organised criminals.
“The fact that the property received was cocaine only makes matters more stark,” she said.
“The offender (Cutmore) played a critical role and well understood the nature of the criminal property and its ultimate purpose. Money laundering is a serious offence, and this case warrants personal and strong general deterrence warranting severe punishment.”
Cutmore, 57, of Townsville, Queensland, Australia pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in the National Court on Aug 1.
Cutmore, on July 26, 2020, flews a Cessna 402C aircraft from Mareeba airport in Cairns and landed on an airstrip near Lealea village in Central.
Cutmore, who was traveling alone, had entered PNG illegally for the sole purpose of collecting cocaine and transporting it to Australia.
Judge Berrigan said the public interest in the case was paramount.
“The danger of the offence lies in the fact that it sought to use Papua New Guinea as a reception point for criminal property destined for lucrative markets in another jurisdiction,” Judge Berrigan said.
“This may be the first of its kind on the facts but it is unlikely to be the last.
“The threat of organised crime to the peace and security of the nation, its communities and the broader region is well recognised.
“This sentence must serve as a strong warning to potential offenders that such offences will not be tolerated.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more