DRUG LORD GETS 12-YEARS' JAIL

FOR almost 20 years the name Duncan Lam, known as "Big Nose" in the drug
community, has been synonymous with the heroin trade in Australia. Despite
his reputation as one of the country's biggest drug barons, Lam had never
been convicted of anything, save for a 1980 drink-driving offence. Until
now. Yesterday, in the NSW District Court, Lam, 46, was jailed for a
maximum 16 years, with a minimum 12 years for his role in conspiring with
others in Sydney to supply heroin with a street value of $38-40 million.

It was the first time Lam has been jailed.

In the 1980s he was charged in relation to a 9.3kg heroin haul, found
inside imported dinner plates, but was acquitted on a legal point.

And in 1997, when the Australian Federal Police were set to pounce on Lam
in a sting operation at a western Sydney Chinese restaurant, he realised
something was amiss and fled.

A fellow drug dealer, who was wired up and ready to lead police to Lam,
also fled.

He eluded police until February 1999 when his luck started to erode.
National Crime Authority officers arrested Lam in North Sydney.

In sentencing Lam, Judge Walter Holt said he was not satisfied that Lam was
the principal in the operation.