Drug supplier sentenced

A Horowhenua man will serve a home detention sentence for supplying synthetic drugs and possessing almost four kilograms of tea leaves used to make it. Manaaki Perenara was arrested on November 14 after police found the psychoactive substances, 56 rounds of ammunition and a pump action shotgun at his Manakau property. The 26-year-old, who has distinctive neck and ear tattoos, wept in the dock as he was sentenced to eight months’ home detention in the Palmerston North District Court on Friday. Judge Stephanie Edwards said the ‘‘significant’’ amount of drug material had an estimated value of $100,000 once manufactured into synthetic drugs. ‘‘Synthetic cannabis is a harmful drug, which we’re only starting to learn of. It can end with fatality.’’ Perenara told police he sold small bags of the drug to friends and family for $50. He was also sentenced for driving while disqualified.