Drug man claims he was forced

The cafe owner claims he was forced to sell cocaine. Photo / Martin Sykes

A cafe owner who was jailed for four years and nine months for dealing $100,000 worth of cocaine claimed he was forced to sell the drug to pay a gangland debt.

Jene Hayward, 36, admitted buying 510g of the high-grade cocaine from a customer at his Tiki Boy cafe in Ponsonby in late 2009.

Police were monitoring gang members, businessmen and professional sportsmen allegedly importing and distributing large quantities of the drug.

Hayward was arrested and charged with possession for supply.

He pleaded guilty at Manukau District Court earlier this year.

At his sentencing in the High Court at Auckland this week, Hayward's lawyer said his client's life began to unravel after a business deal between him and alleged conman Loizos Michaels turned sour.