Accused will deny $12m Ecstasy import charges

A man accused of importing up to $12 million of Ecstasy intends to fight the charges, his lawyer says.

Darryl Leigh Sorby, aged 54, was arrested by the armed offenders squad at his Paparoa home in Northland last Wednesday.

He faces one charge of importing and one of selling cannabis and six of importing Ecstasy from South Africa and one of selling the drug.

The offences allegedly took place between 1999 and 2002.

Six shipments were said to have been made, the last in May 2002 when 36,000 Ecstasy tablets were found in a furniture consignment from South Africa. Police say that shipment was worth $2.8 million to $3.6 million.

They assess the total drug importation at about $12 million.

Sorby was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Auckland District Court last Friday.

His lawyer, John Haigh, QC, said Sorby would defend "each and every charge".

Others were said to be involved.