People smuggling kingpin jailed
A people smuggler described as playing a central and integral role in a syndicate which illegally transported hundreds of people to Australia on fishing boats has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Sayed Omeid, 43, was one of the highest ranking members of the sophisticated people smuggling ring that arranged for boats to travel from the beaches of Indonesia to Christmas Island in 2001.
Omeid pleaded guilty to involvement in two boats - codenamed a Flinders and Conara by authorities - which brought 555 unlawful non-citizens to Australia. Charges relating to a third boat were dropped by Commonwealth prosecutors.
Today, District Court judge Mark Herron said Omeid's role in the operation had been driven by self interest, but not entirely by cash profit - even though passengers paid up to $US 4400 for their place on the boat.
Judge Herron also said Omeid wanted to help family and friends escape the oppressive regime in Iraqi homeland. Most of those were now settled in Australia, the court was told.
Omeid was jailed for a total of ten years, and will have to serve minimum of six and a half years, backdated to his initial arrest in Malaysia in 2010.
He will therefore be eligible for release in March 2017.
