Seaman says forced to bring in hashish

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 30

Seaman says forced to bring in hashish

A seaman, who claimed that he had been stood over by persons with gang connections and forced to bring hashish (cannabis resin) into New Zealand, was jailed for 18 months by Mr Justice Williamson in the High Court yesterday. William Burke Phillips, aged 22, a seaman, had pleaded guilty to a charge of importing cannabis resin, a class B drug, into New Zealand. The two blocks of cannabis resin were hidden in a carton containing motor-cycle parts, according to the police statement

Phillips told the police that the cartons were brought down to his ship, the N.Z. Pacific, while docked in Sydney.

The cartons were brought on board by a long-haired, bearded man from a Sydney gang chapter who said that there was something in one “for the boys,” and that if the hashish did not reach New Zealand he would be dealt with.

After the ship put to sea, Phillips said that he removed the two blocks of hashish from the carton and concealed them in a rope locker.

He had become involved because he was a cousin of a New Zealand

gang member.

He was afraid that if he involved the gang in either country he would be beaten.

Phillips had told a detective: “I can’t afford to Shop these guys as they’re really organised. It’s safer to take the rap myself.” The Christchurch gang chapter did not know that the hashish was on the way and was a present from the Sydney chapter, Phillips had told the police. Mr David Saunders appeared for the Crown, and Mr Erno Bedo for Phillips.

Mr Justice Williamson said that the maximum penalty for the offence was 14 years imprisonment, which showed just how seriously the community viewed bringing drugs into New Zealand. Phillips hid two blocks of hashish weighing 228 and 236 grams on the ship on which he was employed in the crew.

The evidence was that he had done that at the request of and under pressure from other persons as a favor to them and to others in New Zealand.

On June 9, a Customs officer, who was searching the ship, located the drugs.

On June 25, when Phillips was interviewed, he eventually admitted his part and said in effect that he would take the full blame because of his fear of others involved.

Phillips had some convictions for dishonesty, driving offence matters and one for possessing cannabis. He had had different sentences imposed on him, but had never been sent to prison. The probation officer, in a good report, stated that Phillips had an excellent working character and good capabilities in bis employment He had a supportive family. Phillips had to go to jail. The Courts had made it clear that in drug offences the personal circunistahces of the offender took second place to the necessity to deter others.

The appropriate sentence would have been two years jail, but because Phillips was' going, to prison for the first time, his good attributes, the unusual circumstances of the offence as how he came to be in possession of the drugs, the fact that it had cost him his job and he had pleaded guilty, a term of 18 months would be imposed, Mr Justice Williamson said.