KEY POINTS:
A dealer tried to hide $80,000 in cash and methamphetamine at his and his parents' homes, a court has been told.
Mathew Underwood, 30, unemployed of Tauranga, was sentenced yesterday in the High Court in Rotorua to 4-1/2 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine for supply and supplying the drug.
Police had told the court they became suspicious of Underwood after he was seen driving a new Holden Monaro two months after he had been released from jail after serving time for aggravated robbery.
They watched him selling P, The Bay of Plenty Times reported.
When they searched his house they found $30,615 in cash and drug gear.
Buried underneath the house was a snaplock container with several bags containing a total of 40.7 grams of methamphetamine.
At Underwood's parents' home another $50,000 cash and 42.9 grams of methamphetamine was found buried under the house.
Justice Pamela Andrews ordered the forfeiture and destruction of number of items seized by police but a proceeds of crime hearing to determine whether the court will order the forfeiture of over $79,000 of assets is yet to be set.
- NZPA
