This was published 8 years ago
Drug trafficker handed 11-year jail sentence after CCC investigation
By Jorge Branco
A man caught in a year-long police investigation into a tri-state heroin trafficking network has been sentenced to more than 11 years in jail.
Mark Raymond Jacobs was handed an 11.5-year sentence on charges including drug trafficking, extortion and misconduct in public office earlier this month, the Crime and Corruption Commission announced on Monday.
A member of a Romanian drug ring believed responsible fro trafficking 30 kilograms of heroin into Queensland over 10 years has been handed an 11.5-year sentence.Credit: Jason South
In a statement, the CCC said Jacobs was a "high-level" target of Operation Lightning, which in 2012 busted a Romanian drug ring believed to have trafficked 30 kilograms of heroin (worth about $30 million) into Queensland over 10 years.
The drug ring was shifting heroin from New South Wales into Queensland and Victoria.
He was the final target to pass through the courts and was convicted of charges including drug trafficking, extortion and misconduct in public office.
"Jacobs was also ordered to pay restitution to a victim of one of the extortion charges," the CCC statement said.
The commission listed another six people handed heavy sentences as a result of the bust.
Queensland courts handed Ian Schaumberg an eight-year sentence; Jessica Hess, 6 years; Illie Chilnicean, 10 years and Corina Istodorescu, 7 years.
In New South Wales, George Prelipceanau got 9.5 years and Minh Pham 6 years.
As well as drug offences, Operation Lightning uncovered an alleged criminal association between the gang and a "Queensland regional council" employee.
The CCC has been asked to detail Jacobs' relationship to this association.