Justice has been delayed for a skipper who admitted to possessing around 200kg of cocaine in a thwarted attempt to import illegal drugs.
Jake Laurens Hurkmans, 28, was due to be sentenced on Monday after nearly 16 months in custody, but a NSW District Court was told the matter was “not quite ready”.
Hurkmans has pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawful border-controlled drug and being reckless with the proceeds of a crime.
On March 3 last year, the South Australian man drove his fishing boat from Taren Point in Sydney’s South to the Royal National Park where he stopped near a 330m-long container ship.
Hurkmans was arrested as he returned to Botany Bay in Sydney. During a search of his boat, police discovered 11 plastic containers that held approximately 200kg of cocaine.
Police allege Hurkmans offloaded the commercial quantity of cocaine from the container ship to his own boat while the boats were at sea.
Police estimate the blocks of cocaine were worth $230,000 at wholesale price, although they claim the drugs could fetch three times that price on the street.
At the time of Hurkmans’ arrest, police said it was the third thwarted attempt to import commercial quantities of a drug into Australia since the pandemic began.
The 28-year-old was due to be sentenced on Monday in a NSW District Court, but his lawyer told the court the matter was “not quite ready” to be finalised.
The court was told the skipper had been unable to meet with his lawyer to discuss the particulars of his sentencing while in custody.
“I need some time to talk with my client. I haven’t been able to organise an interview date with him,” the lawyer said.
He asked for an adjournment to allow “adequate time to prepare” for the sentencing, which is expected to take three hours.
The court will hear multiple affidavits, a report, and possibly some oral evidence in support of Hurkmans.
However, his lawyer flagged another possible adjournment on Tuesday to prevent “serious misjustice”.
Judge Christopher O’Brien granted the adjournment but noted there might not be availability in court on Tuesday.
“I can’t guarantee you a judge today so I certainly can’t guarantee you one tomorrow,” he said.
Hurkmans will return to court on June 28 to be sentenced.
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