Man admits selling drugs after his ‘life hit a hole’

A Palmerston North man dealt methamphetamine and cannabis to get through a dark time in his life, a court has heard.

Alton Frank’s drug ring was crushed when an elaborate police sting in Manawatu¯ targeted the phone records of suspected drug dealers earlier this year.

Defence lawyer Steve Winter said Frank was dealing drugs during a ‘‘period where his life hit a hole’’, but did not explain any further.

Frank pleaded guilty in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday to supplying methamphetamine and selling cannabis.

Police searched through his text messages and phone activity in January and February, and discovered 22 sales of P, a class A drug, amounting to 4.25 grams.

They also found 10 sales of cannabis, which totalled 79 grams.

Soon after, police stopped Frank while he was driving home in his work vehicle. Inside was another 2g of methamphetamine and several empty snap-lock bags.

A search of his house revealed more cannabis.

Judge Lance Rowe was surprised to see Frank facing drug charges, because of his clean criminal history, and praised Frank for owning up to his mistake and his willingness to change.

‘‘The [drug] dealing was commercial, but low-scale,’’ Rowe said.

Frank will be sentenced in January.