Pair jailed for roles in drug operation

Two Napier men today began year-long prison terms, after being sentenced for their role in a methamphetamine ring broken by police in 2004.
John Paul Miller, 25, and Brian Perry, 39, received the sentences when they appeared before Justice Goddard in the High Court at Napier yesterday.
At a court appearance on December 5 Miller pleaded guilty to a charge of producing a pre-cursor substance, pseudoephedrine. On the same day, Perry admitted a charge of possessing equipment capable of being used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The two men had originally been charged with conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, but pleaded guilty to the revised charges as their trials were about to start.
The pair were arrested following Operation Attic, a major police surveillance operation which culminated in a raid on the Tamatea home of Richard John Samuel Te Rure on July 28, 2004.
On July 24 2004 Miller was overheard on an intercepted phone conversation offering Te Rure assistance in manufacturing methamphetamine. The charge against Perry was laid after he was seen transporting items associated with methamphetamine manufacture to and from Te Rure's address between June 14 and 24, 2004. Yesterday's prison sentences brings to 11 the total number of people sent to prison for their roles in the ring, which included a methamphetmaine lab being run in the lounge and kitchen of the house. The house was later demolished after being condemned because of contamination from the chemicals used in the cooking of the drugs.
Miller's counsel Peter Coles downplayed his client's role in the drug operation, saying there was no suggestion he would have profited from it. "Clearly he is simply operating at the direction of others" he said. Nigel Hewat, representing Perry, said his client was very much at the bottom tier of the offenders, describing him as an "errand boy". However he said in 20-plus years of practising law he did not think he had ever had a client who showed "genuine contrition and remorse" to the extent shown to him by Perry. Mr Hewat said Perry no longer used methamphetamine and had not been in any trouble for more than 14 years.
Crown prosecutor Daniel Kerr said the two men were lesser players in a large-scale operation, but still asked for a sentence starting point of 2 1/2 to three years in prison.
Justice Goddard declined both men leave to apply for home detention.