Prison trio accused of jail sales of P

Arthur Taylor. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Inmates were able to form an "ongoing enterprise" supplying methamphetamine from inside prison by calling one another on smuggled cellphones, prosecutors alleged yesterday.

Arthur William Taylor and two other men, who have name suppression, are charged with forming a criminal conspiracy to supply the class-A drug commonly known as P between May and June 2007.

Their trial began in the High Court at Auckland yesterday.

Taylor, who is representing himself, and one of his co-accused also face three charges of offering to supply methamphetamine to three people: "Snellers", "Skins" and Brett Ashby.

Crown prosecutor Brett Tantrum told the court police obtained a warrant to listen to the conversations of the three accused, who had cellphones despite being in prison.

The trio formed an "ongoing enterprise" to supply drugs in May 2007, when Taylor learned one of them had access to large amounts of methamphetamine, Mr Tantrum said.

The court was told that evidence would be given that methamphetamine - sometimes referred to in code as "stuff" - was often supplied by the ounce.

An ounce - 28 grams - sold for between $12,000 and $18,000 wholesale, and was referred to in a number of ways, including as 'O', a "round one", "big one" "wheels" or "tyres", Mr Tantrum said.

A gram is sold on the streets for $600 to $1000.

In one conversation between Taylor and a man called "Skins" overheard by police, Taylor is alleged to have said he was "just waiting on the stuff". In another, he allegedly said, "I got about three of the big ones ready this week".

Taylor is also heard speaking to one of his co-accused in a Wellington prison about the "round things", the "big ones" for "12k".

Drug payments were made to a TAB account, Mr Tantrum said.

An electronics expert will give evidence as to how cellphones - which are banned in prison - can be charged using other devices such as a radio.

David Jones, QC, who is assisting Taylor's defence, asked the jury in an opening statement to be fair towards the defendant, given the references to prison and drugs that would occur during the trial.

He explained that the prison environment was simply a background to the allegations and was otherwise irrelevant.

Mr Jones said the jury needed to examine each element of the charge, and be sure the evidence backed up what was alleged.

While many bugged conversations would be played to the court, Mr Jones said, conversations could often be taken out of context, particularly when code was used.

"Many things are contraband in prison, things that you and I could buy at the shop. You need to be sure that what is talked about here is drugs."

The trial, before Justice Edwin Wylie, continues next week.