Tauranga pair sentenced on drugs charges

Two Tauranga people caught in the 2008 Bay of Plenty-wide Operation Burd drug-bust were sentenced in the High Court at Rotorua today.

Frank Pukekura, 51, was jailed for four years and 10 months on three charges of supplying methamphetamine, four years and 10 months on five charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply and three years on each of 11 charges of conspiracy to supply methamphetamine. The terms are to be served concurrently.

Joanne Taikato, 41, was sentenced to seven months' home detention and 250 hours' community work.

Justice John Priestly strongly recommended this be tailored to allow her to assist in schools, care for the young or aged, or in sporting-related activities.

Two other people who were to be sentenced yesterday in relation to the same operation - Whata Albert Marsden and Stephen Tipene Tihi - were further remanded for checks to be made on properties suggested as suitable for home detention.

Their sentencing date was set for March 2.

- NZPA