By LISA DAVIES, Chief Court Reporter From: The Daily Telegraph March 16, 2011 2:57PM
FORMER top cop Mark Standen will deny he had anything to do with a drug importation ring, saying there was "no ulterior criminal purpose" to his actions.
A jury has heard an outline of the Crown case against Standen, alleging he used a well-known international drug trafficker and a friend with an import business to help arrange the trafficking of at least 300kg of pseudephadrine - used to make the drug ICE or speed.
At the time, he was a director of the powerful and secretive NSW Crime Commission, heading one of their investigating teams.
Standen has pleaded not guilty to three charges.
His barrister Mark Ierace SC has told the Supreme Court jury his client will give evidence in his defence case, saying he was planning to get out of investigating and intended to join his friend Bakhos Jalalaty in his import/export business. Any payments he received from Jalalaty were because he was already involved in the business in part, Mr Ierace said.
"Regardless of whatever Jalalaty and Mr Kinch expected to be in the second container, the accused expected it to contain only rice," he said.
Earlier, Senior Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC told the jury they would hear much evidence of Standen's personal financial state which was becoming increasingly dire.
"Throughout the relevant period the accused was facing a series of financial difficulties mainly due to over commitment and excessive spending," Mr Game said.
"You will hear again and again and again conversations about, as it were, his desperate need for money."
The trial before Justice Bruce James continues.
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