R v Bucic [2016] NSWCCA 297

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v Bucic [2016] NSWCCA 297 Hearing dates: 30 September 2016 Date of orders: 14 December 2016 Decision date: 14 December 2016 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1] Harrison J at [2] Campbell J at [3] Decision: (1) Crown appeal allowed; (2) Quash the acquittal of the respondent by direction of 24 May 2016; (3) Order a new trial. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – Crown appeal against verdict of acquitial directed by trial judge – drug offence – knowingly take part in manufacture of prohibited drug cocaine - A4 paper impregnated with cocaine imported to Australia – whether respondent 'manufactured' prohibited drug by separating cocaine from paper – whether a step in "the process of extracting or refining" prohibited drug - final step in realising the prohibited drug as marketable commodity - appeal allowed – new trial ordered

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) s 24 – principles - judicial precedent - use of interstate decisions – different legislation with similar purpose – use of dictionaries - proper approach WORDS AND PHRASES – "manufacture" – "process of extracting or refining the prohibited drug" - statutory defintions using "means" and "includes" Legislation Cited: Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW) s 107 Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), s 305 Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) ss 3, 6, 24 Cases Cited: Alcan (NT) v Territory Revenue [2009] HCA 45; 239 CLR 27 Beckwith v The Queen (1976) 135 CLR 569 Beqiri v R (2013) 37 VR 219; [2013] VSCA 39 Comcare v Martinez (No 2) (2013) 212 FCR 272; [2013] FCA 439 Corporate Affairs Commission (SA) v Australia Central Credit Union (1985) 157 CLR 201; [1985] HCA 64 FCT v St Huberts Island Pty Ltd (1978) 138 CLR 210 Jolley v Sutton London Burrough Council [2000] 3 All ER 409 McKeagg v R (2006) 162 A Crim R 51 R v Randylle (2006) 95 SASR 574; [2006] SASC 318 R v Thomas (1993) 67 ACrim R 308 Re Avory (2003) 87 SASR 392 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Teubner v Humble (1963) 108 CLR 491; [1963] HCA 11 TAL Life Limited v Sheutrim [2016] NSWCA 68 The Owners of the Ship "Shin Cobe Maru" v Empire Shipping Company Inc (1994) 181 CLR 404 Wacal Developments Pty Ltd v Realty Developments Pty Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 503 Texts Cited: Macquarie Dictionary (online edition) Oxford Dictionary (online edition) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina (Applicant Crown) Robert Bucic (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S McNaughton SC with G Wright (Crown) M Thangaraj SC (Respondent)