Drug case dropped because of 'set up’

Press, 15 June 1983, Page 20

Drug case dropped because of 'set up’

Nelson reporter An application to withdraw two narcotics charges against a Richmond electrical inspector was granted by Judge Headifen in the District Court at Nelson yesterday after he was told the police believed the man had been “set up.” Murray George Robinson, aged 41, appeared on charges of being in possession of cannabis for purposes of supply and of being in possession of cannabis, on May 27. An application for costs by the defendant’s counsel, Mr J. M. Fitchett, was also upheld. The Judge awarded $lOO on each charge. Sergeant D. Allen said the police sought withdrawal of the charges on the ground that Robinson had been “set up.” The police had received

information from Wellington regarding narcotics and a search was made of the defendant’s home. Narcotics were found on the premises but the defendant and the other person living in the house strongly denied knowing anything about them. .Extensive inquiries were then made by the police because of the amount of narcotics involved. There were 22 cannabis “bullets,” a bag of cannabis, a bag of cannabis seed and a bag of a white powder which looked ' like heroin. On analysis, the powder proved to be a prescribed poison drug, not heroin, said Sergeant Allen.

From the extensive inSuiries by the police, the efendant and his solicitor, the police felt the defendant had been “set up.” Mr Fitchett did not op-

pose the application but sought costs. The defendant had always denied any knowledge of the narcotics, found behind a playhouse on the property, and had cooperated in every way with the police.

' Although the police knew where to look for the drugs, the defendant’s house was ransacked and he had been put to considerable inconvenience, he said.

Sergeant Allen opposed a costs award on the ground that the police acted in good faith in bringing the prosecution. The police inquiries were still continuing, he said.

In awarding costs, the Judge said this was an unusual case and since the police had received full cooperation from the defendant and his counsel he felt an award was appropriate.