Synthetic drugs nabbed in raid

A self-confessed ‘‘synnies’’ addict was found with 300 grams of the deadly drug after police raided his home.

Aaron Leigh Harrison’s North Taranaki property was searched on November 21 last year by officers, who were specifically looking for synthetic cannabis.

Detective Sergeant Dave MacKenzie said the police search turned up a total of 306.5 grams of the synthetic drug. About 105 grams was found stashed in a kitchen cupboard, along with a small plastic bag with 1.5 grams.

In a spare bedroom of the Waitara house, a further 200 grams of the drug was seized.

Police also found $1426 in gold coins in a locked safe in the laundry and Harrison’s wallet contained $755 in cash, MacKenzie said.

Along with the drugs and money, a beer bottle fashioned into a bong used to the smoke the drug, was located, along with 520 small resealable plastic bags.

MacKenzie said a substance commonly used as a ‘‘cutting agent’’ for the drug was found along with a spray bottle with an ‘‘unknown liquid’’ inside.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated the non-approved psychoactive substances located were ‘synnies’ and was all for personal use. He explained he was addicted and had a five to 10 bag a day habit,’’ MacKenzie said.

At yesterday’s hearing in the New Plymouth District Court, Harrison pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of a nonapproved psychoactive drug for sale or supply.

Lawyer Turitea Bolstad said the defendant had a longstanding addiction to the drug, but following the police search he had started counselling and was also on a waiting list for residential treatment.

Judge Lynne Harrison convicted the 46-year-old and remanded him to reappear for sentencing on May 11.

In 2017, about 20 deaths referred to the coroner had been linked to use of the drug.

Last month, Health Minister David Clark said he did not support a separate government inquiry into synthetic cannabis and believed the existing inquiry into mental health and addiction issues would adequately address the problem.