Drug ‘Mr Big’ receives 15-year jail term
Chelsea Boyle
He was likened in court to the “Mr Big” of New Zealand’s Class A drug importation scene — now Adrian Le’Ca has been sentenced to 15 years and 9 months in prison.
The High Court at Auckland heard yesterday how the Bandidos gang member was the “organiser” of a large drug scheme that imported methamphetamine into the country through the international mail system.
Le’Ca was arrested and charged over Operation Cossack, following the seizure of 15kg of methamphetamine and 2kg of cocaine in 2016.
The methamphetamine seized had a purity level of 80 per cent and was estimated to be worth $14.9 million.
Le’Ca pleaded guilty to charges relating to the importation and possession for supply of methamphetamine and cocaine.
The court heard how he lacked remorse and did not want to talk about the offending.
However, his defence lawyer Annabel Maxwell Scott said he was concerned he would never see his wife and children again.
Justice Christine Gordon reflected on the comments of Justice Duffy, who sentenced additional offenders Queenie Anne Matthews and Meinata Piahana.
Justice Duffy said Le’Ca had influenced the pair and “drew those offenders into his criminal world”.
Maxwell Scott admitted Le’Ca played a big role as the organiser but said that it was at a higher level nationally speaking, but not internationally.
She asked that it be taken into account that Le’Ca had been remanded in custody for 17 months.
In that time, he had completed two drug rehabilitation programmes in prison, Maxwell Scott said.
“He has become healthier in prison probably because he’s not on drugs any more”, she said.
Maxwell Scott said he was engaging with the younger prisoners in a mentorship capacity. He asked that the court imposed the minimum sentence.
Justice Gordon noted it had been said before that methamphetamine was an “insidious, pernicious and highly addictive drug responsible for incalculable levels of misery”.
She sentenced Le’Ca to 15 years and nine months’ imprisonment with, a non-parole period of seven years and 10 months.
Counties Manukau major crime team Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander said the convictions were the result of a dedicated effort by staff who worked tirelessly on a lengthy and complex drug operation.