Foiled by ‘bush’ cannabis text trail
A Blenheim man selling ‘‘indoor’’ and ‘‘bush’’ cannabis has been foiled after leaving a trail of more than 2000 text messages on his phone.
Koroheke, 25, of Grovetown, offered to sell various amounts of cannabis, ranging from ‘‘tinnies’’ to ounces, to a ‘‘number of individuals’’ in December and January.
Police examined and analysed 2281 text messages sent and received by Koroheke, a summary of facts said. Koroheke pleaded guilty to five charges of offering to supply cannabis at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.
The summary said Koroheke sent a text message to an associate on December 3, saying he could get him a ‘‘nice one’’ for $450.
The associate replied, ‘‘Hey thanks man, that’s perfect’’.
The same person sent a text five days later asking if Koroheke could get in touch. Koroheke replied, ‘‘Sorry only got the same stuff as last time’’.
The next day, the defendant text his associate asking if he still wanted the cannabis, to which the associate replied, ‘‘Yes, if you have good ones’’. Koroheke replied, ‘‘Yep it’s $470 but it’s really nice’’.
The associate asked the defendant if he made ‘‘fifties’’ as well, a common term for $50 worth of cannabis, to which Koroheke said he could offer a tinnie, $20 worth of cannabis.
On January 8, another associate contacted Koroheke and asked if he could get some. The defendant responded saying he couldn’t get any ‘‘indoor’’ cannabis but could get some ‘‘bush’’.
Indoor cannabis referred to hydroponically-grown cannabis and bush referred to cannabis grown outside.
In March, a search of Koroheke’s vehicle was carried out and an empty container with cannabis residue was found, along with a small set of scales and three bags containing cannabis residue.
Judge David Ruth sentenced Koroheke to sentenced to 100 hours’ community work.
Road works
There will be major works on Middle Renwick Rd from Countdown Springlands through to the Battys/ Murphy’s Rd roundabout between April 16 and 19. Detours will be in place on Battys Rd, Lakings Rd, and Boyce St. The bus stops will be moved temporarily to the west side of the roundabout. Access to the supermarket and Springlands Health may be altered but will remain open at all times.
Correction
A photo of the Wahine pictured on the front page of the Express on Monday was not the TEV Wahine it was the TSS Wahine, a troopship during World War II that ran aground in August 1951.
Long-term plan
The Marlborough District Council will adopt the consultation document for the 2018-28 long-term plan on Thursday. Submissions will open from Friday and close a month later on May 14. The council will hold hearings between June 5 and 7 and consider the submissions on June 11. The final long-term plan is scheduled to be adopted on June 28 and the new rates will be effective from July 1.
Drink-driving
A French man in New Zealand on a working visa has been charged with drink driving. Leo Escoubet, 20, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated at the Blenheim District Court on Monday and has been forced to pay a fine of $520 plus court costs. The man was stopped by police at a routine check point on Redwood St on March 15 where he was found to have exceeded the legal breath alcohol limit of 250 micrograms, reading at 627 mcg. He was convicted and disqualified from driving for six months.
Stole from Church
A Marlborough woman who stole $300 from a church said she was ‘‘desperate at the time’’ for the cash. The woman, who has been granted interim name suppression, was captured on CCTV footage, stealing the money from St Mary’s Church, on Maxwell Rd in Blenheim. The money stolen was profit made from a book sale, a police summary of facts said. The woman in her 40s appeared at the Blenheim District Court on Monday. She will reappear in court on April 30.
Odd Fellows
Our heritage page on Friday pictured 12 smiling gentleman. The caption incorrectly stated they were Freemasons. The gentlemen belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society No 4929.
Four stars
The Global Aquaculture Alliance has awarded New Zealand King Salmon a fourth star for responsible aquaculture production. It is the world’s first King salmon producer to achieve four-star status. Four-star is the highest designation in the BAP third-party certification programme, indicating that a product originates from a Bap-certified feed mill, hatchery, seafarm and processing plant.