A global drug importer who employed couriers on Air Tasker to maneuver his product has began a psychological well being charity together with his household whereas behind bars.
Hayden Cox was locked up for the primary time at 32 after police busted him trying to import MDMA and importing ketamine.
Greater than 16kg of the 2 medicine handed via the electrician’s failed drug operation in early 2020, arriving via the put up from Europe.
Watch the most recent Information on Channel 7 or stream without spending a dime on 7plus >>
Cox has pleaded responsible to trying to own 5.6kg of MDMA, importing 9.9kg of ketamine and possession a business amount – greater than 1kg – of ketamine.
He used identification belonging to others to register telephone numbers and create e mail addresses earlier than renting postal packing containers.
Couriers he met on Air Tasker have been then unknowingly recruited to maneuver the medicine.
MDMA arrived in Australia hid in two concrete angel statues, which have been switched by police. Cox had the angels with him in a backpack when he was arrested.
The ketamine arrived in Australia disguised in three separate deliveries – tubs labelled physique constructing dietary supplements and in tins labelled anti-corrosion grease have been present in his automotive and a supply of ketamine in air filters arrived the day after his arrest.
Cox confronted a pre-sentence listening to within the Victorian County Courtroom on Wednesday alongside Natasha Dokmanovic, who pleaded responsible to a single cost of trying to own a border managed drug.
Each had at varied occasions pretended to be the individuals, or kinfolk of the individuals, whose identities that they had unknowingly used to lease out the postal packing containers.
Cox’s lawyer Mark Gumbleton mentioned this kind of offending was uncommon for a first-time offender, however his shopper’s background gave some indication to how he “fell off the cliff”.
He mentioned Cox had experimented with medicine at college, which had led to a drug-induced psychosis.
Cox then spent one of the best a part of a decade battling psychological well being points and hospital admissions, however he wasn’t recognized with bipolar dysfunction till he was behind bars.
Mr Gumbleton mentioned the creation of a charity and an internet sport was the cherry on the highest of Cox’s time effectively spent in custody.
He mentioned Cox closely researched the sport, created with assist from family and friends, which is designed to present individuals a scientifically confirmed enchancment of their psychological well being.
The charity has raised greater than $25,000 all of which fits immediately towards suicide prevention and psychological well being analysis.
“He has used his time positively to take these steps as a result of psychological well being is so shut and expensive to his coronary heart,” Mr Gumbleton mentioned.
He described Cox as placing the frustration of ending up in jail behind him and transferring ahead in a optimistic manner, supporting his prospects for rehabilitation.
Cox, now 34, expects to spend at the very least till his fortieth birthday behind bars.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
