Charges dismissed in drug case

AUCKLAND: Charges have been dismissed against a media personality in a highprofile trial where he had stood in the dock alongside a gang leader.

Comancheros New Zealand chapter president Pasilika Naufahu, started his trial standing alongside fellow gang member Connor Clausen, accountant Wiwini Hakaraia, as well as a media personality and a woman — who both have name suppression.

Yesterday, that number decreased by two as the media person was cleared of all charges, while Hakaraia was cleared on most charges but admitted possession of Class A drugs.

The media person had been accused of participating in an organised criminal group and two charges of money laundering.

Justice Graham Lang said there was ‘‘insufficient evidence’’ to consider them.

The judge told the person he was ‘‘free to leave the dock’’ adding to the man’s lawyer, Steven Lack, ‘‘that brings your participation in the trial to an end’’.

Hakaraia pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class A drugs on April 11 last year.

He admitted having 27.6g of cocaine inside a Nike shoe and 18.2g of powder containing cocaine and methamphetamine in a bag at his home address.

However, a total of four other charges against Hakaraia were also dismissed.

He was cleared of participating in an organised crime group and three counts of money laundering.

One charge of money laundering and one charge of conspiracy to import a Class A drug were also dismissed for Naufahu.

The gang leader remains accused of two charges of money laundering, one in respect of a Ford Ranger and the other in respect of a $102,075 Bentley.

He also still faces a charge of conspiracy to supply the class B drug pseudoephedrine.

The trial continues. — The

New Zealand Herald