Jamil Hopoate, a former NRL player and attempted drug dealer, was only a courier picking up eight one-kilogram slabs and may not have been aware of his involvement in a cocaine network, the court has been told.
The Sydney District Court is imposing a term on Hopoate, 27, for attempting to provide a large commercial amount of cocaine.
The brother of former Canterbury player Will and the son of former Manly winger John Hopoate was detained in 2021 when federal authorities discovered 514kg of cocaine concealed in a shipment of toolboxes.
The $155 million worth of cocaine, which had been swapped with a harmless powder, was traced as it was disseminated across Sydney, and this helped police find the van Hopoate was driving.
Greg James KC downplayed his client’s involvement, saying that there was little evidence to support Hopoate’s knowledge or desire for cocaine in his possession.
All he is doing, according to Mr. James, is gathering the information he has been told to gather and passing it to the person who had requested it.
Hopoate was paid $7,000 to transfer the slabs, but the court was informed that he had no financial interest in the delivery of cocaine.
He was first detained for two months on remand after being accused with major commercial narcotics delivery. But as it became evident he had never had cocaine in his possession, that was removed.
Hopoate received a 25% sentence reduction after entering a guilty plea to the lesser charge of attempted supply in local court in May.
According to Mr. James, “in the circumstances, it is recognized that he at least had the minimal level of knowledge required to form such vital awareness that the slabs either contained or were likely to contain cocaine or another illegal substance.”
The Crown voiced worry that when Hopoate was freed from prison, his gambling, drinking, and other drug habits would reappearance.
Due to his stringent bail terms, he has been prohibited from using alcohol or other drugs or gambling since July 2021.
When Mr. Hopoate is released from custody and is not subject to rigorous bail restrictions, he will need to have the skills to (ensure he doesn’t) relapse into his extremely serious, long-term alcohol addiction, the prosecution said.
The trial goes on.