A TASMANIAN ex-bikie who played a significant role in a multimillion-dollar amphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine importation ring has been handed a 12½-year prison sentence. Nicholas Mark Stebbins, 27, will spend at least seven years behind bars for his part in a ring that culminated in Tasmania's biggest ever drug bust. The former Rebels Motorcycle Club associate helped source, pay for and import drug parcels worth more than $10 million between 2012 and last July. The parcels contained more than two kilograms of amphetamines and at least $300,000 worth of ecstasy, for which he paid Chinese suppliers using the digital currency Bitcoin and money transfers. The parcels were seized in a major 2014 sting spanning Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia that involved Tasmania Police, the Australian Federal Police and Customs officers. The Supreme Court in Hobart heard the amounts seized would be a significant proportion of what is usually intercepted by Tasmania Police in an entire year. Stebbins admitted taking part in trafficking the drugs, but his lawyers had argued he was a minor player. However, Justice David Porter rejected the claim, saying Stebbins had clearly played an important and significant role. Justice Porter said the fact Stebbins continued dealing drugs even after he was caught, charged and bailed was an aggravating factor. He acknowledged Stebbins had since cut ties with the Rebels and become a model prisoner with good prospects of rehabilitation. But Justice Porter described amphetamines as an insidious and addictive drug capable of inflicting extreme personal and economic costs on the community. "It does not appear a case of this scale has previously come before the courts in Tasmania," Justice Porter said. "A very heavy penalty is called for." Friends of Stebbins gasped and cried as Justice Porter read out his sentence. Stebbins will not be eligible for parole until at least 2021.
A TASMANIAN ex-bikie who played a significant role in a multimillion-dollar amphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine importation ring has been handed a 12½-year prison sentence.
Nicholas Mark Stebbins, 27, will spend at least seven years behind bars for his part in a ring that culminated in Tasmania's biggest ever drug bust.
The former Rebels Motorcycle Club associate helped source, pay for and import drug parcels worth more than $10 million between 2012 and last July.
The parcels contained more than two kilograms of amphetamines and at least $300,000 worth of ecstasy, for which he paid Chinese suppliers using the digital currency Bitcoin and money transfers.
The parcels were seized in a major 2014 sting spanning Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia that involved Tasmania Police, the Australian Federal Police and Customs officers.
The Supreme Court in Hobart heard the amounts seized would be a significant proportion of what is usually intercepted by Tasmania Police in an entire year.
Stebbins admitted taking part in trafficking the drugs, but his lawyers had argued he was a minor player.
However, Justice David Porter rejected the claim, saying Stebbins had clearly played an important and significant role.
Justice Porter said the fact Stebbins continued dealing drugs even after he was caught, charged and bailed was an aggravating factor.
He acknowledged Stebbins had since cut ties with the Rebels and become a model prisoner with good prospects of rehabilitation.
But Justice Porter described amphetamines as an insidious and addictive drug capable of inflicting extreme personal and economic costs on the community.
"It does not appear a case of this scale has previously come before the courts in Tasmania," Justice Porter said.
"A very heavy penalty is called for."
Friends of Stebbins gasped and cried as Justice Porter read out his sentence.
Stebbins will not be eligible for parole until at least 2021.
