Kawerau drug-accused choose jury to decide their fate

Twenty of 43 people accused of drugs-related charges have appeared in Tauranga District Court. Photo/file

The first of the 43 Bay of Plenty people charged after police raids in the Bay of Plenty last month entered not guilty pleas to various drug charges when they appeared in the Tauranga District Court.

Twenty of the Kawerau accused appeared today to enter pleas. Another 23 accused are expected to appear in court tomorrow.The appearances follow a raid last month in Kawerau as part of operation Notus, that centred around the Mongrel Mob in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

A large crowd packed the public gallery and Judge Paul Mabey QC issued a stern warning to remain quiet throughout the process.

James Tomairangi Burgess, 33, Rangitupukiwaho Kevin Burgess, 33, Chad Chisholm, 37, Jason Iopata, 44, Noho Tuhaka, 32, Inia Curry, 47, Charles Drummond, 64, Vania Drummond, Whitney-Lee Drummond, Mark Guptill, 43, Michael Burrell, 43, Demelza Lorrain Chisholm, 37, and Anahera Iopata, 40, each pleaded not guilty to drug charges, electing to stand trial by jury.

Jacqueline Donna Parker, 44, pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges, of which she is jointly charged with husband Trevor Parker, who also faces drug charges.

The cases for Arahia Mary Parker, 27, Trevor Parker, Bradley Allan Beard, 27, Dean Karaitiana, 50, Michael Wright, and Dovi Chisholm, 38, were adjourned without plea.

Charles Drummond, who waved to his grandchildren silently via Audio Visual Link, was granted bail after his brother Duncan Drummond pleaded with Judge Mabey for the release of his brother.

Chad Chisholm and Arahia Parker were also granted bail under strict conditions which included their staying at family members in other parts of New Zealand.

Judge Mabey QC told Arahia Parker it was her duty to adhere to her conditions, which included not travelling to the Kawerau area, using any un-prescribed drugs or possessing a cellphone unless conversing with her lawyer.

"The trial is at least 18 months away. It's entirely up to you whether you stick to these or face the consequences."

Each defendant's case will be heard again in Tauranga District Court on April 26, where those accused who have not yet entered pleas will be expected to do so.

Tomorrow, the remaining 23 are expected to appear.