Jail on drug count

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 4

Jail on drug count

A man, who was apprehended at Christchurch Airport with 19 deals of cannabis in plastic bags, was jailed for nine months by Mr Justice Roper in the Supreme Court yesterday. John Flynn, aged 24. a shearer, had been found guilty by a jury on a charge of possession of cannabis for supply on March 16. Evidence was given at the trial that Flynn was apprehended by the airport police at Christchurch. He was in possession of 19 plastic bags of cannabis, had an airline ticket for Wellington in a false name and had another person’s driving licence.

Flynn said that be was a cannabis smoker and the drug found on him was his winter’s supply which he had purchased three days earlier from an unknown person in the Imperial Hotel. Inside his trousers Flynn had $BOO in notes which he claimed was the proceeds ol a car. he had .sold on behalf of his brother. Flynn had a paperback novel and on the back pages was a series of calculations, figures and names. He told Detective Stuart Maurice Dunn, of the drug squad, that it was a record of race bets.

In evidence Flynn claimed that the notations were the record of a game of backgammon he had played with a group before the Rod Stewart concert in Christ-

church. Mr A. C. Hughes-Johnson, for Flynn, said that the prisoner had a realistic prospect of a stable marriage. His

[girl-friend was sticking by him. In 1976 Flynn had convictions for drug-related offences but the penalties imposed indicated that they were not serious. The amount of cannabis involved in the present offence was not consistent with a commercial operationl of any great significance. Flynn expected to be able to find work without any great difficulty, said Mr HughesJohnson. Mr D. J. L. Saunders, for [the Crown, said that there was provision for the money found on "Flynn to be forfeited. In reply Mr Hughes.-John-son said that evidence had been given that the money (belonged to Flynn's mother or brother. His Honour said that as was usual in such cases sentencing presented a difficult task. Flynn had a stable work record, was well liked and had a good relationship • with the woman he planned ■ to marry.

The evidence was that Flynn had about 142 grams of cannabis in his possession, suggesting that he was engaged in a major operation but counsel had suggested that it could have been an isolated incident. “But I have to bear in mind that false names were used and it could hardly have been coincidence you were the one who was picked out at the airport. You received a warning in 1976 on possession of cannabis and permitting a vehicle to be used for smoking cannabis. They are minor charges but they should

have given you some kind of warning. "You must have known the consequences if you were caught. No sentence short of imprisonment would be appropriate because I am sure if I do not impose it another court would," said his Honour. The question of the ownership of rhe money was something which the police would have to take up, his Honour said.