A former student who imported and sold drugs from his North Dunedin flat has been released from prison with two years of his sentence left to serve.
James Edward Hughes (27) was sentenced to five years' imprisonment when he appeared before the Wellington District Court in March 2016.
The former University of Otago student had pleaded guilty to charges of importing and supplying ecstasy, importing the synthetic high ''N-bomb'' and having it for supply, as well as possessing cocaine.
More than $18,000 cash found during the police search of his home was also forfeited.
Hughes managed to get 280g of ecstasy into the country and his drug dealing - mostly to his peers - took place over the course of 10 months, a recent Parole Board decision said.
Despite the seriousness of the offending, panel convener Phil Gittos noted the inmate had a low security classification in Rimutaka Prison and had been deemed unsuitable for admission on to the Drug Treatment Unit, because of his minimal risk rating.
He had done eight weeks of drug counselling before commencing the sentence.
Hughes' counsel argued the man was not an addict, did not require treatment and therefore should be granted parole.
That view was backed by his principal corrections officer, who said Hughes had some ''difficulties'' with fellow inmates and that it would be better off to have him out of prison.
''We are conscious that it would be helpful to the promotion of pro-social attitudes in Mr Hughes that he be removed from those associations as soon as possible,'' the officer said.
Mr Gittos said the impact of the time behind bars for the drug dealer had been ''salutary''.
He noted Hughes had strong family support, a home in which to live and the offer of employment upon release.
''The pro-social influences are particularly reassuring and overall the board is inclined of the view that the risk to the community of reoffending, so far as Mr Hughes is concerned, is more likely to be attenuated by a release at this stage than by keeping him in prison without any positive rehabilitation programmes to engage upon,'' Mr Gittos said.
Hughes was granted parole with a range of conditions to run for two years, except for a curfew, which would last only three months.
These included attending any programmes as directed by Probation, to live only at an approved address, to notify Probation of changes to his employment, not to consume or possess illicit drugs.
