Phone search reveals depth of drug-dealing

Cory John Finikin’s widespread drug dealing in the Timaru was confirmed when police searched his phone.

The 34-year-old Timaru man admitted seven charges (some laid representatively which covered 41 offences) when he appeared before Judge Jim Large in the Timaru District Court yesterday.

The charges relate to drug dealing between April 17 and May 28 last year and then on May 19, 2022, with much of the evidence obtained through searches of Finikin’s phones.

Police said Finikin supplied methamphetamine to multiple customers.

‘‘He also arranged further sales offering to supply methamphetamine, cannabis and a class C controlled drug analogue, know as mephedrone.

‘‘He used his Oppo phone to facilitate this drug dealing which was analysed by police under warrant.’’

The seven charges Finikin pleaded guilty to on Tuesday via an audiovisual link from Christchurch Prison, were offering to supply methamphetamine (representative) and offering to supply mephedrone (both on April 18, 2021), supplying methamphetamine (May 21, 2021), possessing meth (May 20, 2022), offering to supply meth and failing to carry out obligates in relation to a computer search (both on May 20).

Finikin also admitted a charge of breaching his release conditions in failing to report as directed by a probation officer on June 3, 2021.

One of the meth supply offences – where he offered the drug for $200 per quarter of a gram – occurred when Finikin met a buyer at the Timaru Town and Country Club and police were able to search two vehicles and their occupants.

‘‘Police located 0.39grams of methamphetamine in a small plastic bag in the defendant’s wallet. Also located was $720 in cash, scales and empty bags.’’

Before the charges became representative, prosecution evidence documented 32 occasions Finikin had offered to supply a class A (methamphetamine) or class c (cannabis) drug.

On May 20, 2022, police executed a search warrant on Finikin’s partner’s address, locating 0.66g of meth on a coffee table in the sleepout.

Two cellphones were also located but Finikin refused to supply the pin numbers. Police did gain access to the phone, and it showed a conversation between Finikin and another of May 19, 2022, negotiating the sale of 0.5g of meth.

Judge Large declined a request from Finikin’s lawyer, Nick Rout, to delay entering a conviction.

Rout submitted that entering a conviction would affect his client’s access to a prison course as he would be moved to another prison wing and go to the bottom of the queue.

‘‘My practice is to enter convictions on guilty pleas,’’ Judge Large said.

Finikin was remanded in custody to August 23 at which stage a sentencing date would be set.