Ex-rugby rep says cannabis was for personal use

A former Nelson Bays rugby representative accused of drug dealing and money laundering has told a jury that he grew cannabis plants each year for his own use, but had never sold the drug.

Graham Donald Sturgeon, 47, a wood merchant of Orinoco, 55km northwest of Nelson, has denied six cannabis-related charges, two charges of possessing offensive weapons, and six charges of money laundering, involving a total of $62,658.

After more than two weeks, during which about 50 crown witnesses have given evidence, Sturgeon's lawyer Donald Stevens, QC, yesterday opened the defence case in Nelson District Court.

However, Judge David McKegg suppressed details of the opening statements until later in the defence case.

Sturgeon said he bought his 109ha property in 1991 and had since planted more than 25,000 trees there for firewood.

Sturgeon said he had never sold cannabis to anybody but smoked it socially.

The Crown has said numerous cannabis plants were found on Sturgeon's property in 2003, including 68 plants found in scrub and bush during an aerial recovery operation.

The case continues.



- nzpa