R v Cucek [2026] NSWDC 339

R v Cucek [2026] NSWDC 339. Mahony SC DCJ sentenced Jake Cucek for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs after he drove and guarded a pulley concealing 187.1 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and tried to cut it open. The key issue was the appropriate sentence, particularly Cucek’s role, knowledge, youth, rehabilitation, strict bail conditions and parity with co-offenders. The Court found his operational role essential but low in the hierarchy, and inferred he knew a large drug quantity was involved. Allowing a 15% guilty-plea discount and 290 days’ custody credit, the Court imposed five years’ imprisonment with a two-year, three-month non-parole period.