A former Bondi cafe owner who sought a "faster more glamorous road to riches" has been jailed for at least 18 years over a plot to smuggle 500 kilograms of cocaine into Australia.
Darren John Mohr was the Australian representative in the sophisticated international syndicate which tried to import the drug, with an estimated street value of between $106 million and $150 million, into the country from Chile.
The former cafe owner and heavy vehicle mechanic was found guilty in March of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of drugs in 2016.
In the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Helen Wilson jailed the 46-year-old for 32 years with a non-parole period of 18 years.
Justice Wilson said Mohr had been motivated by money and expected to receive millions of dollars for his significant role in the plot, finding he had sought a faster more glamorous road to riches.
"This was an extremely serious offence that Mr Mohr entered into for no better reason than the lure of money and the prestige and lifestyle money could buy him," she said.
The cocaine was hidden in a ship which sailed from Chile and was due to be transferred into a boat, The Dalrymple, based at Sydney Fish Markets, in 2016.
This was an extremely serious offence that Mr Mohr entered into for no better reason than the lure of money and the prestige and lifestyle money could buy him.
- Justice Helen Wilson
But police waited for the drug-laden vessel when it pulled up to a NSW Central Coast boat ramp late on Christmas Day in 2016.
Mohr, whose participation included travelling to Thailand and Chile to advance the plot, had a "very significant and very important role as the representative in Australia", the judge said.
He told another conspirator he spent days in the jungle in Chile with the drug operators who were to have a naval escort when they left the port with the cocaine.
Mohr had a history of cocaine abuse, depression and a medical condition which had caused pain and anxiety.
According to a psychologist, although Mohn had a happy childhood and was materially well provided for by his family, he had desired a life of luxury and ease beyond his means.
He grew up in an area with more financially privileged peers, "aspiring to luxuries he could not afford".
The judge was unable to accept Mohr was truly remorseful for the crime, although she did accept he regrets the position in which he finds himself and the stress caused to his family and friends.
He had good prospects for rehabilitation.