A South Australian man, Michael Nicholas Sardelis, 37, has pleaded guilty to charges including importing a marketable quantity of a controlled precursor following the interception of a parcel containing 3,500 pseudoephedrine tablets.
The District Court heard the prosecution allege the tablets could have produced around 433g of methamphetamine with an estimated street value between $95,282 and $216,550.
Prosecutors said Sardelis allowed a co-accused to use his personal details, parcel locker address and AusPost account to receive packages, and that he also tracked four consignments from Canada.
His defence lawyer told the court his role was “close to minimal,” that the co-accused was the “principal offender,” and that Sardelis expected to receive methamphetamine for personal use in return, but ultimately received nothing.
Counsel said Sardelis had long struggled with addiction, which began in his late teens, and has been on home detention since his 2023 arrest.
The defence is seeking a recognisance release order, while the prosecution is seeking a custodial sentence. Sardelis will be sentenced later this month.
Source: The Advertiser
