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Australian politician fined for supplying cocaine (www.bbc.com)

submitted 3 months ago by Deceptichum@quokk.au to c/world@quokk.au

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Speirs was arrested in September after footage of him snorting off a plate was published by News Corp. He initially denied wrongdoing and reportedly told the news outlet it was a "deepfake" and that he had never used cocaine.

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[–] brisk@aussie.zone 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Former South Australian Liberal party leader David Speirs was fined A$9,000 (£4311; $5,720) and ordered to complete 37.5 hours of community service by an Adelaide court on Thursday.

For context on that sentence:

It is illegal to make, keep, use, sell or give away cocaine. The maximum penalty for possession, supplying or administering a controlled drug that is not a commercial or trafficable quantity (unless in a prescribed area) is $50,000 or imprisonment for 10 years or both. For larger quantities, these constitute major indictable offences and attract a maximum penalty that varies (depending on the quantity involved) between $50,000 to $1,000,000 or imprisonment for 15 years to life or both.

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/legal+matters/illicit+drug+laws

Seems low compared to the maximum, but I have no idea how similar cases are sentenced. I just hope he didn't get off lightly for being a notable person.