By K.C. Vijayan, Law Correspondent

A SINGAPOREAN drug dealer who was caught trying to smuggle A$165 million (S$191 million) worth of drugs into Melbourne six years ago has failed in his appeal against a 24-year jail term.

Tan Wee Quay told the Australian appeals court about the way he had been forced into a life of drug peddling since he was 10. But the judges were not moved and upheld his sentence.

Tan, 35, will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 16 years in jail.

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