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SYDNEY - A millionaire-turned-Buddhist monk will plead guilty to growing hydroponic cannabis at the back of his Sydney laundrette, a court has been told.
Jose Maria Sanz-Tonnelier, 63, today pleaded guilty to one charge of supplying cannabis and three of possessing the drug, following raids on his Kings Cross laundromat last year.
Three other drugs charges were withdrawn by police in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.
Sanz-Tonnelier today made a late entrance to court in his russet robes, with his barrister Shane McAnulty telling deputy chief magistrate Helen Syme he had been in hospital undergoing tests.
The court has previously heard Sanz-Tonnelier, a Theravadan Laotian monk known to his followers in Chinatown as the Venerable Yanatharo, has terminal cancer.
Entering guilty pleas on his behalf, Mr McAnulty also foreshadowed the monk would plead guilty to commercial cultivation charges, currently before Sydney District Court.
Sanz-Tonnelier was charged following police raids on his Darly Laundrette last February, April and May.
Up to 35 plants allegedly were seized from a hothouse set up on the premises, as well as various quantities of harvested cannabis.
More than 120g of loose cannabis was confiscated from the laundrette, the court was told.
Sanz-Tonnelier is yet to enter a plea on one count of making false representations to police last September, when he allegedly reported his American and Argentinian passports stolen.
The monk, who has previously claimed in media interviews to be a doctor and to hail from a family of tobacco magnates, is accused of travelling to a western Sydney police station last June to complain he was robbed.
Using the name "Jose Sanz", he allegedly told police his bag had been stolen, containing his wallet and passports.
According to facts tendered to the court today, police had seized his passports in April as part of his bail conditions.
"He subsequently made an application to the American embassy for a new passport," the facts said.
"He also told police, when he reported (the theft) that he was a tourist who arrived in May 2007 and was only here until August."
Mr McAnulty asked for the passport charge to be adjourned until after the District Court proceedings ended.
The supply and possession charges were adjourned to June 26 to allow Mr McAnulty to gather evidence of Sanz-Tonnelier's "extensive medical history".
"There's been some scepticism as to the veracity of (his condition). It's been a bone of contention in the past," Mr McAnulty said.
His bail was continued and he is due to appear in the District Court on the cultivation charge tomorrow.
- AAP
