'Low-level' drug importer jailed

The man's laywer argued that was a courier and a mule who did not have high-level involvement in the operation. Photo / Martin Sykes

The lure of easy money from the Queenstown drug scene has led to a four and a half year jail term for Luke Dale, who imported ecstasy and got caught in the police's Operation Wing investigation.

The 28-year-old roofer was part of a conspiracy that imported drugs with a street value of between $180,000 and $300,000.

His co-offenders, Mathew Charlton Lile, 22, Benjamin Robert Briggs, 29, and Reuben Paul Aberdeen, 26, were jailed following a sentencing in Invercargill two weeks ago.

Dale's defence counsel Tony Greig argued in Christchurch District Court today that his client had a lower-level involvement, describing him as the muscle, and the risk taker.

"He was a courier and a mule. He was the one they were prepared to hang out to dry if he had been caught at an airport."

Dale met Briggs at a time when he was using a small amount of ecstasy himself, but he quickly stopped because he found it made him feel anxious.

He borrowed money from Briggs, who suggested a way to make easy money. "You quickly became embroiled in what was an international drug operation," said Judge Jane Farish.

Dale travelled to Canada and brought back drugs and then arranged for four other importations with drugs sometimes being sent to his address in Queenstown.

Mr Greig described Lile as "a travelling drug importer", who got Briggs involved as the main Queenstown contact, and Briggs got Dale involved. "He was intoxicated by the chance of making some easy money in Queenstown at a time when he clearly needed it."

Dale was successful in the building industry, but he had gone into the ecstasy operation with his eyes wide open. "He is adamant this is his one and only venture into drug dealing."

Crown prosecutor Claire Boshier said in cases of sophisticated drug dealing operations, personal circumstances could carry little weight.

Judge Farish said Dale's own involvement with ecstasy should have shown him the harm the drug could do to others.

"There was a lot of money to be made and a lot of lives were going to be harmed by the ecstasy that you and your friends were importing into New Zealand," she said.

When search warrants were executed by police, Dale had quickly admitted his involvement. She accepted he was truly remorseful, but he was not a first offender.

He had to be jailed to be held accountable for the harm he caused, and to deter others from becoming involved in the illicit drug trade.

Dale had admitted four charges of importing ecstasy, one of procuring or possessing the drug, and one of conspiring to import it into New Zealand.

Dale's parents had travelled from Oamaru for today's sentencing.

- NZPA