A Central Otago man accused of importing methamphetamine has been denied bail, prompting a flurry of tears in court.
Jade Brendon Martin (22) appeared before the Dunedin District Court this afternoon facing the importing charge as well as possessing the class-A drug for supply and cultivating cannabis.
Charging documents allege Martin imported methamphetamine on three occasions between November 2 and December 2 last year.
The charge carries a maximum of life imprisonment.
The Clyde-based roofer's lawyer, Sarah Saunderson-Warner, argued her client should be granted bail but Judge Dominic Flatley disagreed.
He deemed the risk of releasing the defendant into the community was too great.
Martin allegedly committed the offending in Alexandra, and the cannabis cultivation charge features a 28-year-old female co-accused.
She is next due to appear in the Alexandra District Court next month.
Police said 40 cannabis plants and a “large amount of methamphetamine paraphernalia” were found at a Clyde home when a search warrant was executed last week.
The warrant was issued in relation to importations which had been intercepted by Customs at the New Zealand border, police said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said the impact of P use on society was huge.
“Too often we see its devastating effects, not just on users, but on families and the wider community,” he said.
Martin's family members sobbed loudly as the alleged facts of the case were outlined by the judge and offered messages of support when it became clear he would be remanded in custody.
“Stay strong, babe. You're going to be OK. It's going to be OK,” they said,
Martin stood in the dock with his head in his hands, crying, before he was led back to the cells.
He will be back in court later this month.
