Judgment day in Chinese restaurant drug operation

Photo/File

The owner of a Chinese restaurant in central Wanganui found to have a "sophisticated" cannabis growing and drying operation in the attic was sentenced to home detention and community work yesterday.

Raymond Ng was supported by family during his sentencing in the Whanganui District Court on charges of possessing and cultivating cannabis, and possessing a firearm without a licence.

More than 200 cannabis plants were discovered in the attic of Ng's Chinese restaurant Beijing on September 6 last year.

Judge David Cameron said there were two growing rooms and a drying room, with polythene on the walls to reflect light, heat shields, an "elaborate ducting system", and carbon filters to help remove cannabis odours.

Police found 226 live plants in four different stages of growth, and a further 15 harvested and drying, Judge Cameron said.

A 2013 calendar demonstrated the cycles of the plants, he said.

Police also found 77.5g of cannabis drying in the restaurant oven. In Ng's home they found a rubbish bag of trimmed cannabis branches and a .22 bolt-action rifle in an unlocked wardrobe, which defence lawyer Roger Crowley said was not connected to the cannabis operation.

A "conservative estimate" of eight harvests per year, with 40 plants per harvest, placed the annual profit at $150,000.

"This was a large to moderate operation with a high degree of sophistication," Judge Cameron said.

Mr Crowley said his client "naively" agreed to participate in the operation because his business was struggling.

"He feels he brought shame not only on himself but his family in Wanganui," Mr Crowley said.

Raymond Ng felt he had shamed his family, his lawyer said. Photo/File

Ng had shown "clear and unequivocal remorse", had pleaded guilty early, and would not be returning to court.

It was apparent Mrs Ng, who has been married to Ng for 30 years, was unaware of her husband's illegal activities, Judge Cameron said.

He said Ng had a limited criminal history, with only two unrelated convictions more than 20 years ago.

The offending had affected the "integrity" of the business, where Ng had worked for 27 years.

The restaurant building was seen by the court as an instrument of the cultivation, but instead of forfeiting the building Judge Cameron allowed Ng to make a payment of $60,000 to the Crown, which represented his share - Mrs Ng owned the other half.

Judge Cameron sentenced Ng to 10 months' home detention and 150 hours of community work.