Shane Taoho

Man jailed over $600k cannabis original source

An Eastern Bay of Plenty man found guilty of growing 348 cannabis plants with a street value of up to $600,000 has been jailed for 2 years.

Shane Taoho, 44, of Ruatahuna, was found guilty in June by a jury of one charge of cultivating cannabis between November 1, 2009 and March 25, 2010 and selling cannabis between January 1 and December 25, 2009.

Taoho appeared before Judge Phillip Cooper for sentencing in the Rotorua District Court yesterday.

It was the Crown's case that Taoho cultivated 348 cannabis plants in a shed in Ruatahuna where he had been living. Police estimated the cannabis had a street value of up to $600,000.

The Crown also said Taoho sold cannabis for $200 an ounce to students at Otaki where he was studying. During the trial, at which Taoho represented himself, he said he was a sovereign being and did not recognise New Zealand law. He said the only law was God's law and it said in the book of Genesis in the Bible that a person could grow seeds and plants.

However, lawyer Max Simpkins who was appointed to represent Taoho during the sentencing yesterday, said Taoho realised he had no chance using the "sovereign being" argument as a defence.

"He became involved with others who took him down that path ... He does regret going down that track."

Mr Simpkins said Taoho was remorseful and accepted the court's jurisdiction.

Judge Cooper said the amount of cannabis found was significant and Taoho had also admitted selling cannabis to students at a tertiary institute.

Judge Cooper said he had told him countless times that using the "sovereign being" argument was not a defence.

Judge Cooper said he had virtually pleaded with Taoho to seek legal advice for the trial and noted the poor advice he had received.

"I think in part you were being used by others who had an agenda of their own."

Judge Cooper said while the drugs had a street value of $600,000, Taoho would not have made that amount as he was growing the drugs for others and receiving only some of the profit.