Five admit cannabis charges

Five people have admitted their involvement in a multi-million dollar Buller cannabis ring that was busted in the Operation Marvel police raids in December.

They were among 15 people charged at the end of the 14-month police investigation which ended with search warrants being executed on several properties, and arrests in Buller and other parts of the country.

All 15 pleaded not guilty when the depositions hearing ended in Westport on May 15, and they were remanded to Christchurch District Court today for pre-trial conferences to settle jury trial arrangements, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

However, there will be no trials for five of the group after they admitted a variety of charges at their appearances before Justice Michael Crosbie today.

They were all remanded for sentence on September 11. Judge Crosbie ordered probation reports and also reports on suitability for home detention for all but one.

Four of the five were granted bail pending sentence.

The police allege it was a commercial cannabis cultivation and supply ring. The investigation involved two undercover officers, phone taps, secret cameras in cannabis plots, and hours of other surveillance.

The 55-page police summary of facts was not read in court.

Those who pleaded guilty were Brian Murray Russell Anderson, a 41-year-old farmhand from Nelson, Bevan Patrick Te Tai, a 30-year-old machine operator from Westport, Natasha Ann Peek, a 30-year-old cleaner from Westport, Maria Dawn O'Brien, 35, unemployed, and Wayne George Saunders, a 41-year-old Christchurch manager.

Charges range from cultivation, possession for supply and sale, theft and unlawful possession of a pistol and explosives.

Home detention reports were ordered for everyone but Anderson, who faces the weapons charges and was remanded in custody.

- NZPA