In drug importation cases under s 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), the dominant sentencing considerations are punishment and deterrence, and personal mitigating factors including disability (legal blindness) carry less weight. A sentence of 5 years' imprisonment for a courier/post box role involving 233.7 grams of pure heroin is within the appropriate range. A disparity of 1.5 to 2 years between a courier and the principal organisers is sufficient to satisfy the parity principle.
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