Meth deal with 'Miracle Man' on Facebook ends in jail

James Michael Patton, 23, was jailed for two years and six months on two charges of importing the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine. Photo / File

A deal to import methamphetamine with a Facebook user called ''Miracle Man'' proved not to be so miraculous for an Oamaru chef yesterday.

In the Oamaru District Court, James Michael Patton, 23, was jailed for two years and six months on two charges of importing the Class A controlled drug methamphetamine.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard Patton received a private message on Facebook on April 26 from a user with the name ''Miracle Man'', who asked if he was ''up for business''.

A phone call followed and it was decided Patton would receive 40% of a projected $100,000 in sales. Patton provided an Oamaru address and an alias.

Customs officials intercepted a package of slipper samples from Hong Kong that also contained 102g of methamphetamine. It was delivered to the Oamaru address, where Patton signed for it, using the alias he provided.

Police then executed a search warrant and found the drugs, as well as another delivery of 192g of 25% pure methamphetamine.

Defence lawyer Adriana Pinnock told Judge Joanna Maze her client had been assessed as at low risk of reoffending and imprisonment would be particularly hard for him because of his age and the fact he would miss the birth of his child.

Judge Maze said those involved in the distribution of Class A drugs could not expect sympathy for their personal circumstances.

- Otago Daily Times