Pubdate: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 Source: West Australian, The (Australia) Page: 4 Contact: FAX: +61 8 94823830 Author: Roy Gibson JUDGE GETS TOUGH ON DRUGS Big sentences for ecstasy importer brothers TERRIBLE damage was being inflicted on young people in the community by those involved in the illicit drug trade, a District Court judge said yesterday. Judge Peter Blaxell said illegal drug use had brought about a massive increase in crime and it was time for the courts to impose tougher sentences. He made the comments when handing down big sentences on two brothers who had pleaded guilty to conspiring to import a quantity of ecstasy tablets into Australia between 1993 and 1995. Arthur Reginald Roberts, 46, of Estuary View Road, Dawesville, who was also involved in two successful ecstasy importations, was jailed for 16 years and ordered to serve a minimum of eight years before release on parole. His brother, Andrew Hope Roberts, 44, was jailed for 11 1/2 years and must served at least 5 1/2, years before possible release. He is from Britain and is likely to be deported on release. As Judge Blaxell left the court, Arthur Roberts shouted abuse at Australian Federal Police officers who solved a complex and elaborate case. A joint AFP-National Crime Authority operation ran for 18 months and involved a team of about 70 people at the time the brothers were arrested in May 1995. The brothers then spent more than 2 1/2 years in jail as their case meandered through the court system before they were released on bail. At one stage, their trial was adjourned because they had no money to pay for defence lawyers. They were due to stand trial last month on a number of charges but, after an American-style plea bargaining, they admitted one charge of conspiring to import ecstasy. Judge Blaxell said Arthur Roberts was the central figure in the conspiracy and had been behind two earlier importations. The precise number of ecstasy tablets involved was unknown but it must have been many thousands. His contacts then distributed the tablets in the Perth area. The judge rejected a submission that Andrew Roberts was only a messenger boy. A study of transcripts from bugged telephone calls and conversations showed that his role was second only to his brother. One of the reasons for the delay in the third importation was that Andrew Roberts still had to build the specially designed suitcases. This suggested it was to be a massive importation, Judge Blaxell said. The brothers, who had Anglo-Indian parents, were born and raised in England. Arthur Roberts came to Australia in 1977 and had worked in the building industry and as a musician. References suggested Arthur Roberts was a person of good character and kind to his family and friends. "But you have been willing to pump big quantities of illicit drugs into the community causing untold grief and damage to other people's families." Judge Blaxell said. - --- Checked-by: Rich O'Grady