Most of those arrested in a major drugs bust in Wanganui two weeks ago are denying the charges and want jury trials.
In Whanganui District Court on Tuesday, 11 of those arrested in Operation Valley appeared before Judge Dugald Matheson. All but two pleaded not guilty to all charges against them and chose to go before a jury.
The public gallery in Courtroom 1 was packed with family, friends and other supporters of the various defendants throughout the morning.
Defence counsel Roger Crowley represented the lion's share of Operation Valley arrestees.
First was Perry Mark Hanning, who pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of supplying methamphetamine, 11 of supplying cannabis and one each of receiving stolen goods, obtaining by deception, and burglary.
Stuart Vincent Cripps, 39, pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of supplying cannabis and one each of supplying methamphetamine, cultivating cannabis, and receiving stolen goods valued at more than $1000.
Jamie Peter Nicholas pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of supplying methamphetamine, five of supplying cannabis, one of offering to supply cannabis and one of burglary, and Bruce Morgan Gil pleaded not guilty to one charge of supplying methamphetamine.
Two other clients of Mr Crowley, sisters Christine Maree Raymond and Shelley Ann Raymond, had their bail conditions adjusted so they can celebrate Christmas together. Christine Raymond pleaded not guilty to four charges of supplying cannabis and one each of supplying methamphetamine and possessing cannabis for supply, and Shelley Raymond denied nine charges of supplying methamphetamine and two of possessing methamphetamine for supply.
Harry Charles Cuff, represented by Debbie Goodlet, pleaded not guilty to 32 charges of supplying methamphetamine and nine of supplying cannabis.
Jolene Gayle Price, who was represented by Stephen Ross, pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of supplying methamphetamine, two of supplying LSD and one each of possessing LSD, having methamphetamine for supply, supplying cannabis and supplying Ecstasy.
All of the above defendants were remanded on bail until case review hearings on February 25.
Shane Christopher Corbett pleaded not guilty through Mr Crowley to two charges of supplying methamphetamine and two of supplying cannabis. He was remanded in custody until the case review hearing date.
Raymond Mickleson, who is facing four charges of supplying methamphetamine, was remanded until January 28 for plea.
The final Operation Valley defendant to appear on Tuesday was David Aurupa, 28, who admitted possessing one capsule of cannabis oil and possessing utensils. He also admitted an unrelated charge of male assaults female. He was sentenced to 60 hours of community work.
Aurupa, through lawyer Richard Leith, pleaded not guilty to a further charge of burglary and was bailed until March 4.