A woman has admitted selling cannabis from a fish and chip shop near two Bay schools in what police say is an unusual case.
Robyn Potene, who managed the Cameron Rd Takeaways in Te Puke, had cannabis tinnies stored in a milkshake container and was caught in an undercover police sting after she sold drugs to a detective.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges of selling cannabis and one of offering the class C controlled drug for supply when she appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday.
The takeaway store is opposite Te Puke High School and a short distance from Te Puke Primary and is often frequented by pupils from both schools.
But after her court appearance, Potene told the Bay of Plenty Times: "I certainly never sold drugs to kids. No way would I ever do that."
The solo mother of two children, aged 8 and 13, visited Te Puke High's principal when she was charged in June and reassured him she wasn't selling drugs to any of his students.
"It is the first time I have done something like this and I only did so because I felt pressured by the police officers.
"They set me up for sure. But, at the end of the day, I'm the one who did it to myself and therefore I must take the slap on the wrist and face the music."
Potene said her two children knew there was a real risk she would go to prison when she was sentenced on December 8.
"I'm not hoping too much but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the sentencing judge will be a bit lenient."
Potene was caught after police mounted a special investigation code-named Operation Paua between June 20 and 23.
The court was told police visited Cameron Rd Takeaways on several occasions and bought cannabis from Potene. She also offered to supply them with more.
The operation began after concerns were raised by Te Puke people over the sale and supply of illicit drugs from the store.
A detective visited the store several times and bought cannabis from her.
Potene's lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, told Judge Russell Callander that while the charges against his client attract a hefty prison sentence, his submissions might result in home detention and therefore urged him to grant her continued bail.
Judge Callander said: "Any selling really is going to put her in prison."
But he reluctantly agreed to remand her on bail for sentence on December 8.
Detective Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow told the Bay Times Potene's tinnie operation was definitely one for the books.
"It's not something I have ever come across before. Certainly not something this blatant and right on the back door of two schools.
"Potentially it posed significant risk to young people but there is no evidence she supplied cannabis to any students from either school."
Te Puke High School principal Barry Foster confirmed there was no evidence any of his students were Potene's clients.
"In fact, until I read of the charges in the newspaper back in June, I was oblivious this sort of thing was even going on."
But he said there was always the potential risk that students could easily become caught up in a difficult situation.
Te Puke Primary School principal John Hayes said he heard about the case via the grapevine and there was never any suggestion that any of his students were involved.
"God forbid. What a brazen act. Certainly it is alarming that this sort of thing happens on any school's doorstep and it only highlights how easily vulnerable young people can be exposed to this type of crime."
Michelle Cao, the owner of the building in which the Cameron Rd Takeaways is located, said she had been unaware of the charges Potene faced until her lawyer wrote to her on June 29.
Following Potene's guilty pleas, the building's lease was now under review.
Potene has leased the shop for about a year and said she knew her business was in real trouble, even if she escaped a jail term.
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