David White/Stuff
Stevie Cullen and Selaima Fakaosilea were sent to jail for decades for the case. The appeal was finally heard at the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday, in front of Justice Forrie Miller, Justice Geoffrey Venning and Justice Mary Peters. Defence lawyer Greg Bradford argued Fakaosilea was not involved with the importation of the drug haul, because any alleged involvement by her came after the drugs had been imported into New Zealand.
David White/Stuff
Selaima Fakaosilea maintains her innocence in the Ninety Mile Beach meth importation. The drugs should have been considered imported when the boat carrying them arrived in New Zealand waters, which was at the end of May 2016, he said.
Ninety Mile Beach meth megabust: Jailed woman says drugs already imported by time she got involved
12 May, 2021 03:12 AM
3 minutes to read
Focus: Operation Frontia. Massive amount of meth caught on the coast. Video / Mike Scott
The gigantic Ninety Mile Beach meth stash was already imported by the time Selaima Fakaosilea got involved.
That s what Fakaosilea s lawyer Greg Bradford told the Court of Appeal today, as his client appealed against her conviction and her 12-and-a-half year jail sentence.
Fakaosilea, a close relative of the late All Black winger Jonah Lomu, denied importing methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group.
Selaima Fakaosilea was jailed for drug importation after a High Court trial. Photo / Mike Scott
The gigantic Ninety Mile Beach meth stash was already imported by the time Selaima Fakaosilea got involved.
That's what Fakaosilea's lawyer Greg Bradford
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The man pleaded not guilty to possessing and importing methamphetamine and is due to stand trial later this year.
His lawyer Greg Bradford said he would be at risk of extreme hardship and his fair trial rights would suffer.
In a judgment released today Justice Edwards dismissed both of those claims.
The man has now been declined name suppression by both the District and High Courts.
He must appeal to the Court of Appeal by next week or the media will be able to publish his name. Tags: