Tafa Misipati, Benjamin McLellan, Mobeen Bhikoo and Samuel Montgomery in dock during their sentencing today. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Tafa Misipati, Benjamin McLellan, Mobeen Bhikoo and Samuel Montgomery in dock during their sentencing today. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Four men who were part of a high-profile Auckland cocaine bust have been named but the identities of the prominent people they supplied drugs to remain hidden.
Mobeen Bhikoo, Benjamin McLellan, Tafa Mispati and Samuel Montgomery appeared before Justice Sally Fitzgerald in the High Court at Auckland this morning for sentencing.
They faced dozens of drug possession and supply charges from 2016 and were due to go to trial in early October before amending their pleas to 28 charges.
Thirteen charges were also dropped.
Bhikoo was sentenced to a total of three years and four months in prison.
Celebrity stylist Mobeen Bhikoo leaving the Auckland District Court after an earlier appearance. Photo / Greg Bowker
The identities of those the men supplied the drugs to is suppressed, but they are prominent people in music, business and sports circles.
Ron Mansfield, who represented Bhikoo, McLellan and Montgomery, said the trio were not on the street selling drugs but were "simply supplying to those within their social circle who were already using the drug".
Mansfield said the people his clients were supplying drugs to did not want to have contact with those who ordinarily deal drugs to protect their business and social interests.
The lawyer said his clients had developed a habit for a drug that was relatively common and available in their social group.
McLellan is a business manager who also appeared in an advertising campaign for Fonterra's Anchor brand, while Bhikoo is a hairdresser.
Mispati is a professional kickboxer and personal trainer, and Montgomery was a clothing distributor.
The court heard that Montgomery now works in the construction industry.
Justice Fitzgerald said there appeared to be a perception that cocaine was a party drug and "socially acceptable and the thing to do" which needed to be dispelled.
Christopher Lay has pleaded guilty to seventeen charges relating to the supply and possession to supply cocaine. Photo / Greg Bowker
Fashion designer Christopher Lay also earlier pleaded guilty to 17 cocaine-related charges as part of the covert police operation.
Lay, and senior Hells Angel gang member Anthony "Ants" Nansen, and Bhikoo were the three original targets in Operation Ceviche, an investigation by the National Organised Crime Group, which led to the seizure of 760g of cocaine worth $300,000, and $81,000 cash last August.
Mansfield earlier provided the Herald with a statement from Bhikoo, which said the cocaine was "heavily cut" and used between close friends.
"I had access to the drug through another person I knew and would get it and then others would get it off me. I was not some big wholesale or street dealer," the statement said.
"At the time, we were all using the drug in our social circle. It started out being social use only, but I accept we let it get a bit out of control. We have all cleaned up our acts. Things are clearer and better now.
"I have addressed my use of controlled drugs now and I am focused on my career. I regret this time and the lifestyle we had. In particular I regret the negative influence the supply of the drug has had on others."
