The judgment consolidates 15 sentencing principles applicable to serious federal drug importation offences under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), confirming that offenders who are key organisers critical to the success of large-scale importation enterprises attract sentences in excess of 20 years before discount. The sentencing range analysis in R v Lee continues to apply and is supported by an updated national schedule of comparative cases to May 2010. Where an offence carrying life imprisonment is placed on a s 16BA schedule, a significant additional increment in the sentence for the primary offence is ordinarily required. Co-offenders should be sentenced before the same judge wherever possible.
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