Indonesian Jailed for People Smuggling

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said the five-year jail term handed down to 58-year-old Indonesian Amosh Ndolo by the Western Australian District Court last Friday has reinforced the message that those found guilty of people smuggling faced severe punishment.

Ndolo pleaded guilty to smuggling 14 people into Australia, after docking his wooden boat alongside a floating production storage and offloading facility in the Timor Sea on October 6 last year.

This latest decision follows the sentencing in March of 35-year-old Indonesian skipper, Abdul Hamid, to six years’ jail after pleading guilty to smuggling 12 people into Australia.

“The Australian Government has maintained extensive patrolling of its borders and organisers, skippers and crews of people smuggling ventures face jail terms if caught and convicted,” Mr Farmer said.

The Australian Government also continues to work with regional partners to deal with issues involving irregular migration and people smugglers.

“Our Government has renewed efforts to work closely with regional countries, including Indonesia, to prevent and deter people from attempting to enter Australia unlawfully,” Mr Farmer said.

The maximum penalty for the offence of organising to bring a group of five or more non-citizens into Australia contrary to section 232A of Australia’s Migration Act 1958 is 20 years’ imprisonment.

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