Tauranga man admits dealing drugs to support his habit

Romi Manzenares, 43, pleaded guilty to drug dealing charges in the Tauranga District Court. Photo / File

A Te Puna man, who turned to dealing cannabis and P to support his drug habit, faces a hefty prison sentence.

Romi Manzenares, 43, pleaded guilty to eight charges in the Tauranga District Court yesterday.

That is, one charge each of offering to supply cannabis, conspiring to supply cannabis and conspiring to supply methamphetamine - the latter charge attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years' prison.

Plus he pleaded guilty to three charges of offering to supply cannabis, and one charge each of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a P utensil.

The police summary of facts revealed that on September 21 last year police obtained a production order from the Tauranga District Court to search the defendant's cellphone.

An analysis of Manzenares text communications showed that he had conspired with others to supply and also offered to supply P and cannabis.

Between September 1 and 12 last year, he exchanged text messages with other persons during which he and the text receiver discussed sales of the drugs cannabis and P.

That included on September 2 when the defendant sent a text saying a mate was "dropping the green off" in the morning and the unknown person agreed to come round.

Green is a code word for cannabis.

Then on September 4 Manzenares also sent a text message asking the other party "Got any meth. Need any green?"

The other person texted back - "Lo, no crack, silly question always need pot. Is it any good though?... Drop me off a tiny I got coin."

Crack is the street name for methamphetamine. Tiny is the short form for tinnie or a tinfoil package of cannabis material.

Manzenares replied to the same person - "I got two left, $350 each...sold 10 since last night."

An ounce of cannabis commonly sells for $350, the police summary said.

On September 7, Manzenares sent another text stating he had no cannabis available but could supply methamphetamine.

When police searched his partner's address on December 13, they found numerous used plastic bags, commonly used for dealing drugs, hidden in the bush behind the house.

That included one containing 0.5g of crystallised P.

Nearby was also a broken, used glass P-pipe and secreted in a hedge was a set of electronic scales and a broken cellphone.

In explanation, Manzenares told police his "habit had got too large" and started "flicking" methamphetamine to support it

Judge Thomas Ingram remanded Manzenares on bail pending sentencing on March 14.