Drug dealer jailed for five years

Keith John Mills appeared in Whangarei District Court for sentencing after a jury found him guilty on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine for supply.

A Northland man found with almost 30g of the "evil" drug methamphetamine, two illegal guns and $12,000 in cash has been jailed for more than five years for his "commercial" dealing enterprise.

Keith John Mills, 29, appeared in Whangarei District Court this week for sentencing after a jury found him guilty on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine for supply. Near the end of his trial, he also pleaded guilty to one charge of unlawful possession of a pistol.

Police, backed by the Armed Offenders Squad, went to Mills' home in Roberts West Rd, Arapohue, about 16km southeast of Dargaville, on January 29 last year, and seized nearly 30g of methamphetamine, $12,000 cash and the firearms.

The property was monitored by security cameras that could be watched from inside the house. Mills said the methamphetamine and cash belonged to a Head Hunters gang member who had visited him.

Judge John McDonald said the jury rejected Mills' defence and he was sure that this was a commercial operation, purely for financial gain rather than to feed his own habit.

Having the firearms was a serious aggravating factor, the judge said. "Methamphetamine use can be characterised as the most serious drug problem that the country is facing at the moment," Judge McDonald said.

"Methamphetamine is a destructive drug for users, causing violent behaviour and is responsible for other offending with extreme violence. It has created a thriving industry with organised crime involved at all stages. The manufacturing process is particularly dangerous. Methamphetamine has led to suffering and misery within our community and spread evil."

He said references to the court painted Mills as good man, but he was a Jekyll and Hyde character who dealt in drugs. The judge said a starting point for the offending was five years and nine months' imprisonment, but he reduced that by four months for mitigating factors, leaving an end sentence of five years five months' jail.