For attempted possession of approximately 245 grams of pure heroin (about 16% of the maximum weight for the marketable quantity category), a sentence of 6 years for a naïve courier and 7 years for a trusted intermediary were manifestly excessive, reduced to 5 years and 6 years respectively. The fact that an offender needs money to pay off debts does not necessarily affect culpability. A total effective sentence may be maintained notwithstanding reduction in individual sentences where total criminality warrants it.
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