Defendant changes plea in drugs trial

Press, 3 November 1981, Page 21

Defendant changes plea in drugs trial

PA Auckland An Auckland company director. Colin James Prast, has pleaded guilty in the High Court at Auckland to eight counts of importing and supplying the drugs heroin and morphine. Prast. aged 41. changed his pleas after six days of the trial in which witnesses have said he planned and financed a scheme entailing the buying of drugs in Asian cities and their concealment in Air New Zealand DClOs entering New Zealand. Prast. a company director, of Hillsborough, had denied 11 charges at the opening of the trial. He had been recharged at his request and pleaded guilty to three counts of importing morphine, a class B controlled drug; one count of conspiracy to import heroin, a class A drug: one of conspiracy to supply heroin; and another of supplying morphine. Mr Justice Holland (dismissed two charges, conspiracy to .import and supply morphine, because they formed part of charges Prast had admitted. Prast asked for a rearraignment on the remaining charges and admitted counts of importing heroin and supplying heroin. The last remaining charge, alleging a supply of heroin to Denis Frederick Popham at Auckland on April 10. was dismissed by his Honour, who 'said there’was substantial doubt' that Prast was involved in that offence. Prast was remanded in custody for sentence on November 5. Prast was taken from the court and his counsel, Mr B. S. Wilson and Miss MaryKennedy. withdrew from the trial. Left alone in the dock was ' Glenda Faye Menzies, aged 26, a former bank teller, of Avondale, who has denied the same charges originally brought against Prast except tor one count of importing morphine which was not brought against her. Auckland C. 1.8. drugs . squad officers told the Court they had maintained surveillance on Menzies’ house at Avondale in February. Detective R. W. Bruce said he watched the house from a room in which he had an audio link to Menzies’ house and radio contact with other

police in the vicinity. He said he saw Prast visit the house on 12 mornings in February. He said he photographed various people visiting the house, including Prast: three persons who have testified in the trial with-immunity from

prosecution: and five others: who. he said, were known toi have been involved in the ; Auckland drug scene. ; Cross-examined by Mr G ■ N. Jenkins, for Menzies. De- j tective Bruce agreed that ; one of the women giver I immunity also lived at tht house until February 20. ■ |