Three facing meth charges in Northland may know their fate today

The bach at Tutukaka in which three people are accused of manufacturing a large quantity of methamphetamine. Photo / John Stone

The jury in the trial of three people facing charges relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine at a Northland holiday home is expected to retire today.Kimberley Gibbons-Hurinui, 32, Jeffery Hall, 35, and Tama Watene-Toi, 52 are facing seven charges in relation to the discovery of a meth lab in Dolphin Place, on the Tutukaka Coast, on July 10, 2016.

Charges against a fourth person, Charla McIntyre, was dismissed in the Whangarei District Court yesterday after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence against her.

The remaining trio are charged with manufacturing meth, possession of equipment with an intention of manufacturing meth, possession of meth for supply, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, unlawful possession of a pistol, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of an explosive.

The clandestine meth lab was busted after a property manager became suspicious and called police. None of the three defendants yesterday elected to either give evidence or call witnesses at the end of the Crown case on Tuesday.

In his closing address, Crown prosecutor Jarred Scott said the manufacturing of meth was a joint enterprise which was why the group got together.

He said blankets covering windows in a high-end holiday home, the presence of people at the location, and their having possession of firearms and ammunition meant all knew what was happening.

Gibbons-Hurinui's lawyer, Nick Leader, said there was no evidence she was making meth, was in control of equipment, firearms and ammunition, or knew the drug was being cooked in the bach. It was insufficient to prove her involvement from her presence at the property or witnessing meth being cooked, he submitted.

Mark Ryan, representing Hall, said his client was not at the bach "stirring the pot" and that meth was being cooked when he was not present. Paying for the bach rental didn't make him guilty of the charges, he said.

Watene-Toi's lawyer, Wayne McKean, said there was no evidence of an agreement between the defendants to indicate what happened at the bach was a joint enterprise.

Judge Keith de Ridder will sum up the case this morning and the jury is expected to retire by midday.