Seized cannabis value disputed

INDOOR OPERATION: Terryn Charters, 27, had seven cannabis plants, similar in size to this one, growing in his Ferguson St garage. PHOTO/FILE

A chocolate treat Kinder Surprise container of cannabis oil in a house with two small children greeted police when they discovered a $35,000 homegrown cannabis operation in a family home.

Terryn Earl Charters, 27, a Masterton labourer, pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating cannabis, possession of a cannabis oil and utensils for the use of drugs when he appeared before judge John Bergseng in Masterton District Court recently.

Following the plea, police prosecutor Jodie Lawrence withdrew a charge of theft of electricity.

Mrs Lawrence said on December 20 last year police executed a warrant on Charters' Ferguson St home he shared with his partner and their then 2-year-old and 5-month-old children where they discovered an indoor cannabis-growing operation in the garage. Seven mature budding cannabis plants around a metre high were growing.

Each plant had the potential to yield about a "pound" of dried marijuana, she said.

"The value of the cannabis was between $21,000 and $35,000 ... indoor-grown cannabis plants typically produce one pound of cannabis head per plant."

A total of 67 seedlings were found growing on a heat pad in another area set up in the garage. Police also discovered 40 grams of dried cannabis head in a screw-top jar and a range of drug utensils including glass pipes for smoking metham-phetamine from and cut straws and growing chemicals, in the garage.

In a fridge in the kitchen police found a Kinder Surprise plastic container with 5 grams of cannabis oil inside.

Charters admitted the drugs were for his own use as he "didn't want to pay for his drug use," Mrs Lawrence said.

Charters' lawyer Louise Elder said the cannabis was for her client's own use.

They also disputed the value of the drugs found and requested court time for a disputed facts hearing.

"[There was] no commercial aspect. He has a history of drug offences ... an indication he has a drug problem," Ms Elder said.

Judge Bergseng remanded Charters on bail for a pre-sentencing and drug assessment report.

A disputed facts hearing will be heard on April 17.