A former rugby league player, who was recently released from prison for attempting to smuggle cocaine, has been spared a return to jail for decade-old drug offenses. John Tobin, 66, a former Sydney Roosters skipper, walked out of the Brisbane Supreme Court after admitting to multiple drug offenses committed in 2014. Tobin, a veteran of 125 games for the Tri-Colours in the 1980s, was released on parole from a NSW prison last June after serving eight-and-a-half years for his role in multiple attempts to import a total of 1.4 tonnes of cocaine into Australia by boat. He pleaded guilty to nine counts, including supplying drugs and possessing the equivalent of 134 grams of cocaine. Tobin committed the offenses in Queensland between May and October 2014, which included collecting drugs at a BP service station. Police raided Tobin's house and found 134g of cocaine after intercepting the syndicate leader's electronic communications. Tobin was granted bail at the time but went on to participate in major cocaine smuggling attempts. He was present on two boat trips out to sea from Sydney in a bid to pick up drugs from container ships and 'narco-submarines' from South America. Tobin and other co-offenders were able to take possession of 500 packages of cocaine on a third attempt in December 2016. However, he was arrested on Christmas Day 2016 after police intercepted the group offloading duffel bags full of drugs at a Sydney harbour boat ramp. This case raises questions about the fairness of the justice system and the impact of past offenses on an individual's future. Do you think Tobin should have faced additional jail time for the decade-old offenses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
