A man with money problems who took up a casual job offer ended up transporting millions of dollars for a drug syndicate.
Simon Andrew Cross, 41, of Strathpine, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Monday to one count of recklessly engaging in money laundering.
Police found more than $4.3 million in cash in Cross' vehicle after he was pulled over by police on July 7, 2020 in the southern Brisbane suburb of Eight Mile Plains.
Cross had $7500 in cash and an encrypted mobile phone in his possession along with $2.6 million in his vehicle's boot and $1.7 million in a suitcase on the front seat.
The crown prosecutor said Cross had been working for a significant drug trafficking syndicate that was laundering its profits across Queensland as well as NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
"Between April 26, 2020 and July 8, 2020 (Cross) participated in a series of dead drops for this syndicate that (involved) him taking large sums of money," she said.
Cross was given instructions via an encrypted phone as to where to drop off the packages.
The prosecutor said Cross was paid up to $1000 for each delivery and he was seen on police surveillance in bushland with suitcases and a drug syndicate member.
"(Cross) told police he was not aware of what he was transporting but it was likely illegal items, possibly money or drugs," she said.
The prosecutor called for Cross to be sentenced to two-and-a-half years with him to serve six months in actual custody.
Defence barrister Gerard Elmore said Cross should receive a wholly suspended sentence as he had voluntarily told police about additional periods of his offending.
"My client is of otherwise excellent character ... he took the position ignorantly and recklessly to assist in an organisation to transport things he had no knowledge of," he said.
Mr Elmore said Cross did not seek out involvement but was offered a way to get out of his personal circumstances.
Judge Tony Moynihan said Cross had written a letter expressing remorse and had been working since his arrest.
"You were in need of money, you met a man through your work who offered you the opportunity to make some money by being a courier of goods," he said.
Judge Moynihan said Cross knew whatever he was transporting was unlawful and did it anyway, making about $8500 from 10 deliveries.
"You have a low risk of engaging in this type of conduct again," he said.
Cross was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment to be suspended immediately for a period of three years.
