Police trying to find identification for a man in a coma after a car crash found his drug stash instead.
Johnathan Spear, having recovered from injuries, was subsequently charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply and possession of a glass pipe.
Yesterday, the 38-year-old was sentenced to threeyears' jail on the charges.
He appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday before Justice Ailsa Duffy.
The court heard that on July 17, Spear was involved in a car crash and was taken to hospital in a coma.
Police were contacted to help find out his identity and when they searched his bag, they found 12g of methamphetamine, a number of snaplock bags commonly used to package the drug and $2895 in cash.
Justice Duffy noted Spear had indicated he wanted to do something about his "heavy" drug habit.
"You are sorry for the shame you have brought on your family," the judge said.
"You have shown a genuine desire to overcome your drug addiction," she said.
