A Motueka tobacco grower has had 3.8 tonnes of tobacco leaf returned to him, nearly two years after it was seized by Customs.
However when it was returned to Laurie Jury and his partner, Michelle Ward, a quarter had rotted.
"They didn't have anything on us," Mr Jury
said.
"It's disgusting to know government departments can act like that."
The pair have spent more than $30,000 battling charges of illegally manufacturing and possessing the tobacco.
It had been maturing in sheds on the Motueka Valley farm when Customs raided the property in July 2005.
During his trial in March, Mr Jury pleaded guilty to one minor charge, allowing him to get his tobacco back without appeal.
Mr Jury said he had grown the tobacco to sell to Christchurch company Isla Services and would try to salvage his relationship with the company and complete the deal.
The law allows people to grow tobacco, although manufacturing must be done on Customs-licensed premises and excise duty paid on the finished product.
- NZPA
