A notorious Melbourne drug trafficker will walk free from prison after 101 days behind bars after police found almost 200g of methamphetamine in his Louis Vuitton bag.
Jimmey Barkho, 30, last week pleaded guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence and negligently dealing with proceeds of crime.
Barkho was arrested outside a Sydenham home on June 13, 2018, after police launched a series of sweeping raids in Melbourne’s northwest to crack down on methamphetamine trafficking.
The court was told that Barkho initially denied he was in possession of the zip-lock bag full of drugs and claimed someone else placed the drugs in his Louis Vuitton bag while he was in the toilet.
Police also discovered $8920 in cash in the bag and seized three mobile phones.
Barkho on Tuesday appeared via videolink in Victoria’s County Court, where Judge Helen Syme warned him that this was his “very, very last chance”.
“You are now 30 years of age, growing up is long overdue,” she told the court.
Judge Syme said she considered Barkho’s case for rehabilitation was “hopeful” given he had already spent more than 100xjmtzyw days behind bars.
She described the accused as a “broken and flawed” character who was at risk of reoffending but told the court that “custodial sentences were only used for those where there is no other option”.
“You have been afforded multiple opportunities by various courts to resolve your drug issues,” Judge Syme told the court.
“ … up until a short time ago, I considered extending (your) custodial sentence, so you must understand this is your very, very last chance.”
Barkho spoke only once to thank Judge Syme and to confirm he understood the corrections order placed on him.
He was convicted on both charges and sentenced to a three-year community corrections order after serving 101 days behind bars.
As part of Barkho’s conditions, he must forfeit the cash seized, as well as the three phones, a wallet and the Louis Vuitton bag.
