KEY POINTS:
Two men convicted of importing nearly 2000 ecstasy tablets in 2005 have had their appeals against conviction and sentence dismissed.
Allen Louis Harriman was convicted in 2006 of two charges of importing MDMA, or ecstasy, conspiracy to supply ecstasy, conspiracy to supply heroin, possession of ecstasy for supply and possession of heroin for supply.
Harriman was sentenced to 12 years' prison, with a minimum non-parole period of 6-1/2 years.
Co-accused Wayne Stuart Dixon was convicted of two charges of importing ecstasy, conspiracy to supply ecstasy, conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and possession of ecstasy for supply.
He was sentenced to six years' prison.
Both men appealed their convictions and sentences to the Court of Appeal.
The court heard the men arranged to import the drugs from Europe in June 2005, and again in July 2005.
Harriman's luggage was searched at the airport when he returned from Europe in June, and nothing was found.
However, phone conversations and text messages revealed Harriman had brought about 1200 tablets into the country.
Harriman was searched again when he arrived home from another trip to Europe in July and was found to have 700 ecstasy tablets strapped to his waist, hidden inside a length of pipe under a bandage.
The two men argued any phone discussions related to legal party pills and other herbal products.
The Court of Appeal found the jury heard sufficient evidence to reasonably determine the drugs being discussed were in fact MDMA.
It also found the sentences given to the two men were fair.
Harriman had previously been convicted of heroin trafficking in Australia, for which he received a nine-year sentence.
The court dismissed the two appeals.
- NZPA
