Drug factory gang jailed

It was the Waikato's longest drugs trial, spanning four months and four days, and involving an estimated $750,000 worth of Class A drugs.

After being found guilty in August, nine people were yesterday sentenced for conspiring to manufacture and supply methamphetamine as far afield as Auckland, and for conspiring to produce heroin.

Justice John Priestley sentenced the ringleader, Richard McFall, to 11 1/2 years in prison.

McFall's wife Nadia - who has a history of heroin and P addiction, and who gave birth to the couple's third child on the first day of the trial - was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months' jail.

The pair also faced firearms, receiving and bail-breach charges.

The accused, some closely connected family members, had been found guilty by a jury.

Grandmother Erana Moore was discharged after being found not guilty of all five charges against her.

Another defendant, Peter Reyland, faces similar charges but has been on the run since April.

The court heard how the McFalls conspired to manufacture and supply methamphetamine at their Hamilton home, while also conspiring to produce heroin as an antidote to the effects of methamphetamine, or P.

The heroin acted as the "downer" to the "upper" effects of the P, the court was told.

A police operation monitored the group during 2003. Text messages and phone conversations resulted in 2700 pages of notes being made by police.

The offenders used codewords for the drugs such as mince, mutton and meat.

Joseph Turner, charged with similar drug offences to the McFalls, was sentenced to 6 1/2 years.

Others sentenced were: David Nathan and Ian Anderson (4 1/2 years); Joseph Moore, Emily Anania, and Samuel Howe (5 years, 3 months); and Koro Tata (3 years, 9 months).

The sentencing of Nicholas Cartwright and Jamie Grace was postponed until November 10.