Billy Sergio Palemene and 33-year-old Ruben Hurtado jailed Hurtado for 15 years with a non-parole period of nine years and Palemene for 12 years

49-year-old Billy Sergio Palemene and 33-year-old Ruben Hurtado were arrested last year after authorities in Brisbane intercepted a package containing more than 16 kilograms of pure cocaine. Prosecutor Michael Nicholson told the court it was a second attempt for the two men, after a smaller package containing more than 478 grams of pure cocaine was intercepted by US authorities. The court heard Hurtado was under pressure to clear a large drug debt and had enlisted Palemene's help because of his job with an international courier company. Justice James Douglas jailed Hurtado for 15 years with a non-parole period of nine years and Palemene for 12 years with a non-parole period of seven.