A Canberra cafe owner who used social media to show off flashy cars and brag about his apparent success has been jailed for drug trafficking in the ACT Supreme Court.
Brendan Leigh Baker, 28, was found guilty in June of 11 charges related to drug trafficking and dealing with the proceeds of crime, and was today sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison.
He allegedly attempted to import drugs from China, and large wads of cash were found in his home after police searches.
Prosecutors, who used the evidence of a police informer against Baker, said his reported income was "insufficient" to explain the wealth he flaunted.
The informer, whose testimony against Baker was critical to the case, relayed an incident in which Baker gave him a kilogram of MDMA concealed in a pink Barbie lunchbox.
He also said the two of them concocted a plan to import synthetic MDMA from China, which resulted in an explosion in a drug manufacturer's garage.
Throughout his trial, lawyers for Baker attempted to discredit the informer as self-serving and unreliable.
They also said that, despite their client's braggadocious social media presence, he was not on trial "for being a member of the selfie generation".
'Difficult to know' extent of Baker's remorse
In sentencing Baker, Acting Chief Justice John Burns told the court he accepted the 28-year-old's offending was driven by a desire to be successful.
But he said that desire was born out of greed and a drive to make money quickly.
The court heard that since being remanded in custody, Baker had enrolled in a number of educational courses and programs, and had expressed a desire to study engineering.
Acting Chief Justice Burns told the court he received a number of submissions from people, including the Alexander Maconochie Centre's chaplain, who had contact with Baker in jail and spoke to his positive nature.
"You are also said to be a good influence on other detainees," he said.
But Justice Burns went on to say he was doubtful that Baker had any genuine insight into his offending behaviour, and that he found it "difficult" to believe he had been enlightened to the dangers drugs posed to the general community.
He said he did not believe Baker had fully accepted the gravity of his conduct, given he maintained his innocence against the charges.
"It is difficult to know to what extent you show remorse for these charges," Justice Burns said.
Justice Burns set Baker a non-parole period of seven years, backdated to his arrest in 2018, meaning he will be eligible for release in April 2025.
