Bugging lounge opened window on gang drug lab says prosecutor

When police closed down a drug-making operation they found an internet-sourced document with instructions about making methamphetamine, a jury in the High Court at Auckland heard yesterday.

The instructions were found at a property in Kelston occupied by Brett Lionel Allison, who the Crown claims was the drug "cook".

At the property, near Kelston Girls High School, the police also found drug-making equipment, and run-off containing 150gm of methamphetamine said to be worth $150,000. "It gives you some idea of of the extent of the operation," prosecutor Phillip Hamlin said.

The Crown claims that the group had set up a laboratory in East Tamaki for about a month before packing it up and transporting it to another location.

Mr Hamlin said that while the laboratory was a "reasonably compact unit", it needed a truck to move the equipment and chemicals.

After getting a court order, police planted a bug in Waha Saifiti's lounge.

Mr Hamlin said it provided a window into the group's inner workings.

There were allegedly conversations about making methamphetamine, sometimes whispered, sometimes accompanied by loud music.

Mr Hamlin said the group was conscious of the possibility of police taping their conversations and tried to guard against it.

While Saifiti was clearly proud of "our product", there were problems.

In one conversation, Fa'Afete Taito and William Hines were allegedly said to complain that Allison was not producing the required amount of methamphetamine.

Allison was said to be reluctant to take advice about the matter.

Saifiti was allegedly heard talking about having borrowed $50,000 from his wife to invest in the manufacturing process.

He expected to make $250,000.

Saifiti allegedly talked about taking Allison's house in Franklin Rd.

"He is saying if I don't get my return to the tune of $250,000, I am going to take Allison's house in Franklin Rd," Mr Hamlin told the jury.

There was also alleged speculation that too much hydrochloric acid or too much water was used in the process or that the equipment was faulty.

Mr Hamlin said that Saifiti and Hines were also concerned that they were not getting the amount of drugs they expected. Dwayne Allan Marsh and David James Dunn were allegedly suspected of taking some "product" and not giving it to Hines and Saifiti. On one tape Dunn was said to have got $180,000 worth of methamphetamine from Allison.

"Needless to say Saifiti and Hines are not happy," said Mr Hamlin.

Hines and Saifiti were said in one conversation to talk about needing a "result" and contemplated taking the cooking job away from Allison.

At one point Saifiti allegedly admitted to being involved in wholesaling methamphetamine.

"He says, 'I sell amphetamine now'," Mr Hamlin told the court.

The prosecutor said that $73,000 worth of methamphetamine was found in Saifiti's bedroom when the police raided the premises.

Saifiti's lawyer, Murray Gibson, suggested in a brief preliminary address that the tapes revealed drug-fuelled ravings and meanderings rather than any drug-making conspiracy.

There was no money, equipment, chemicals, or drug literature found at Saifiti's house and he had no knowledge of the alleged manufacture of methamphetamine.

Mr Gibson questioned the credibility of an important Crown witness and said that there would be evidence confirming that Saifiti did not borrow $50,000 from the unlikely source of his ex-wife.

Gary Gotlieb, representing Dunn, said his client was on trial only because of his association with the Headhunters motorcycle gang.

Mr Gotlieb said that the Crown had interpreted the tapes to fit a theory, but it was for the jury to decide what they really meant. Dunn featured in only one tape, but is claimed by the Crown to be referred to by other accused on other tapes.

Mr Gotlieb said there was some confusion whether it was in fact Dunn they were referring to.

The trial continues today.