Gaol term imposed for drug offences

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 2

Gaol term imposed for drug offences

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 26. On a charge of cultivating marijuana, Michael Brett Longley, aged 20, a student, was sentenced in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court today to nine months imprisonment.

He was also sentenced to three months gaol on charges of using heroin, possessing marijuana, heroin and instruments for the use of heroin. To all five charges Longley pleaded guilty. Sergeant J. F. O’Connor, prosecuting, said last week that on February 25 the Auckland drug squad visited a house at Foxton Beach, tn Longley’s bedroom they found four needles, syringes and other articles. In a shed behind the house seven plates were found with about 2000 marijuana seeds between damp cottonwool. ' Puncture marks were

found on Longley’s arm and he told the police he had smoked marijuana, injected heroin, and owned all the articles in his room and the seeds in the shed. Longley was represented today by Mr D. Hunter, who told the court he had come from Nelson for the case. Mr M. L. Morgan, S.M., said that the charge of cultivating marijuana was a serious one and carried a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. The gaol sentences are to be served concurrently. The Magistrate also placed Longley on one year’s probation.