Jurors chosen to decide a major drugs case were yesterday locked away together for the duration of the trial by order of the court.
Justice John Laurenson told the High Court at Auckland the move "must be regarded as neutral and no adverse inference should be taken from it against the
accused in any way".
The jurors were allowed time yesterday to go home to pick up personal belongings and to tell family and employers they would be sequestered until the end of the case.
Justice Laurenson said they would be placed in suitable accommodation away from the court, and arrangements made for them to contact their families at evenings or over the weekend.
He acknowledged the circumstances would cause difficulties and inconvenience for the jurors.
The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, begins today.
Peter William Cleven, of Titirangi, aged 39, faces one charge of supplying methamphetamine between January 1, 1997 and October 21, 1999.
He is also charged with supplying cannabis between January 1, 1998, and January 11, 2000.
Darren John Simmons, also known as Darren Fussey, 35, is jointly charged with Cleven with possession of cannabis for supply on December 25, 1999.
