No sentence reduction for convicted drug trafficker
A GOLD Coast man who co-ordinated a major drug network connected to an outlaw motorcycle gang will not have his 14-year jail term reduced.
Daniel Kalaja, 32, tried to argue his age, lower position in the drug trafficking business, his polysubstance dependence and his prolonged rehabilitation efforts meant he should have been sentenced to 11 to 13 years.
The Brisbane Supreme Court heard, during Kalaja's sentence in July, that his involvement was "high level, lengthy and brazen, illegal conduct".
He had trafficked cannabis, methylamphetamines, ecstasy and GHB acid over three years, sometimes while he was on bail for other offences.
Justice David Boddice said the sentence, which included a serious violent offence declaration requiring Kalaja to serve 80% of his sentence, was not manifestly excessive.
He said if Kalaja had not pleaded guilty, he could have received a sentence substantially more than 14 years.
"Although not a financier of the trafficking business, (Kalaja) was an integral part of it," he said.
"It involved multiple drugs, in large quantities, for substantial monetary sums. There was, at least, $600,000 in unsourced income.
"While the effective sentence imposed on the applicant was at the high end, it was within the sentencing discretion."
