Mega bust Canadian jailed for nine years

A man who admitted importing 16kg of Class A drugs into New Zealand after one of Customs’ largest-ever drug busts at the border has been jailed for more than nine years — despite claiming he was “duped” into the offending and had no idea of the dangers of methamphetamine in the community.

Last month Canadian national Harpreet Lidder pleaded guilty to four charges of importing methamphetamine and MDMA and possessing the drugs for supply. He admitted sneaking 14kg of methamphetamine and 2kg of MDMA across the border.

Lidder was one of three people arrested after Customs seized nearly half a tonne of methamphetamine stashed inside a shipment of electric motors last year.

The estimated 469kg haul was Customs’ largest meth seizure at the border and had a street value of about $235 million.

Lidder’s charges related to close to 16kg of the bust. The maximum penalty for importing such drugs is life imprisonment.

The court heard that Lidder came to New Zealand in 2018 with the sole intention of importing the drugs.

In June that year he rented a storage unit and days later Customs received a consignment for Lidder weighing 316kg.

He signed for the consignment and declared it was electric motors.

In early September police executed a search warrant at Lidder’s apartment. He tried to run — leaping off a balcony onto the roof of another building. But he was caught soon after and charged.

Justice Ailsa Duffy yesterday sentenced Lidder in the High Court at Auckland.

“Given the seriousness . . . the main purpose of your sentencing is to denounce your conduct,” Justice Duffy said. “You were indeed a link in a much larger chain . . . a cog in a bigger wheel.

“I am satisfied you were not aware . . . I am satisfied you possessed little autonomy of your role.”

However, she said she was sceptical of Lidder’s remorse and claims he was unaware he was bringing meth into New Zealand, or the negative impacts of the drug.

Justice Duffy did not set a minimum period of imprisonment, meaning Lidder would be eligible for parole after serving a third of his sentence.

He is likely to be deported as soon as parole is granted.