Pills cost trainee officer army career

Shane McHaffie and George Steele. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A trainee army officer has lost his "promising career" after being caught with 210 pills he bought for a New Year's Eve party.

George David Anthony Steele travelled to Auckland with military mate Shane Michael McHaffie to buy Ecstasy for themselves and seven friends in December last year.

Police found the pair late at night in a car in Galatos St, behind Karangahape Rd.

The pills were analysed by Environmental Science and Research and found to be 4-MEC - a class-C drug which gives a similar high to Ecstasy.

Both have pleaded guilty to attempting to possess Ecstasy for supply and appeared at the Auckland District Court for sentencing yesterday.

Judge Patrick Treston sentenced Steele to six months of home detention.

The judge recognised that Steele was a young man, a first-time offender and posed a low risk of reoffending.

However, he adjourned McHaffie's sentencing because his home address had not yet been checked by the probation service to see if it was suitable.

Crown prosecutor Ben Smith acknowledged the pills Steele and McHaffie bought were to be passed on at "effectively cost price".

He said the Crown's starting point for sentencing was eight to 12 months in prison but that would have been much higher if the drugs had been Ecstasy.

Steele's lawyer, Paul Wicks, described the offending as stupid. He said the drugs were never intended to be sold at a profit.

The nine friends had pooled their resources - about $5900 - and it was fortunate they were ripped off.

His client would lose "what was to be a promising career as an army officer".

"It was one he set his sights on some years ago."

Mr Wicks said Steele had let his family down. They had written letters to the judge and were in court to support him.

It is understood police are still investigating the seven friends who contributed money to buy the pills.

The army would not comment on the investigation.

A spokesman said McHaffie and Steele were part of a trainee scheme which pays for their study as they prepare for full-time roles in the army.

"The NZ Army has no tolerance for misuse of drugs by any of its personnel and now that the court process is over, these men's continued retention in the army will be formally reviewed."

He said the pair did not represent all of the soldiers at Linton army base.

"We do not condone the use of any drugs and carry out regular screenings to check that drugs are not used by our personnel."