http://www.news.com.au/national/top-cop-mark-standen-found-guilty/story-e6frfkvr-1226113019370 (7 JAN 2012)
Top Cop Mark Standen Found Guilty
Mark Standen, former assistant director of the NSW Crime Commission, arrives for hearing at the Downing Centre Court in Sydney. Picture: Frank Violi
ONE of the nation's most powerful investigators has been found guilty of plotting to import drugs worth more than $120 million.
Mark William Standen remained unmoved as the jury of 11 handed down their guilty verdicts to three charges today, after a Supreme Court trial lasting almost five months.
The former assistant director of the New South Wales Crime Commission had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to import and supply more than 300kg of the drug pseudoephedrine, used to make speed and ice.
Standen, 54, also denied using his role as a senior detective to pervert the course of justice. The father-of-four spent 25 days in the witness box during his trial in a bid to explain the hundreds of hours of covert evidence gathered in a lengthy investigation. He admitted discussing an "unlawful scenario" with his business partner and friend Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty, that would involve the importation of drugs in a shipment of rice - but he never believed his buddy was serious.
However he also admitted telling plenty of lies - especially to AFP investigators during a four-hour interview done shortly after his arrest on June 2, 2008.
The Crown alleged Standen's relationship with British-born informant James Henry Kinch, became corrupt, leading to the pair joining with legitimate businessman Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty to stage the daring operation.
The Crown claimed Standen, motivated by a "dire" financial state thanks to gambling and other debts, had agreed to help Kinch import the drugs for a significant slice of the profits.
Jalalaty's legitimate business, Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC argued, provided an authentic "front" for the illegal drug operation.
The jury's verdict ended a trial that was originally estimated to last about two months - but instead went for close to five. The case was beset with delay, frustration and controversy, with jurors at one stage threatening mutiny.
In a letter to the trial judge and lawyers for both sides, the jurors detailed the heavy impact the trial was having on their lives, as it entered the 15th week - with no end in sight.
Standen, who has been in protective custody for the past three years, now faces life in jail.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/top-cop-mark-standen-found-guilty/story-e6frfkvr-1226113019370#ixzz1ijb4GOQ4
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(December 08, 2011)
Former NSW crime fighter Mark Standen jailed for drug importing
BY: LEO SHANAHAN From: The Australian December 08, 2011 12:02PM
Mark Standen has been jailed for at least 16 years for his role in drugs importation among. Picture: Nic Gibson Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE man who once was one of NSW's top crime fighters is to serve a minimum 16 years in jail for attempting to import more than $100 million worth of illegal drugs.
Mark Standen, 54, was sentenced this morning in the NSW supreme court for his role in an attempt to import $120m worth of pseudoephedrine into Australia between 2007 and 08.
Pseudoephedrine is used to make the drugs speed and ice.
Justice Bruce James said that Standen's role in the attempted importation 'abused his position' as the former assistant director of the NSW crime commission, and knew how much and when the drugs were supposed to arrive in the country and did so for a financial gain.
Standen was sentenced to 22 years in jail and with a non-parole period of 16 years. He will not be eligible for release until 2024. He has been found guilty of conspiracy to import and knowingly taking part in a supply of a large quantity of commercial drugs.
During his time involved in the drug smuggling plot Standen was the assistant director of the NSW Crime Commission, one of the state's most elite crime fighting organisations.
Standen had been found guilty of being one of the chief conspirators in a plan to bring in at least 300kg of pseudoephedrine in a rice shipment from Pakistan.
The former police officer, who had been heavily involved in operations against drug importation, worked with English criminal turned informer James Kinch and Sydney food importer Bakhos Jalalaty.
Mr Jalalaty was sentenced last year to a minimum six years for his role in the conspiracy, while Ketch is currently currently in a Bangkok jail waiting trial on drug importation charges.
