A plea of guilty will not be set aside where the evidence demonstrates the accused understood the nature of the charge and made a free and informed decision to plead, notwithstanding that the accused's first language was not English and no interpreter was present at arraignment, where the accused's written English was of a high standard and detailed written instructions were read and signed. A longer non-parole period than co-offenders is justified where the offender occupied a higher position in the drug importation hierarchy, entered a late plea of guilty, and did not cooperate with authorities.
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