William Luke Macfarlane appearing in the Rotorua District Court by audio visual link. Photo / File
William Luke Macfarlane appearing in the Rotorua District Court by audio visual link. Photo / File
A Rotorua couple are at the heart of a serious drugs importation case that's allegedly seen more than 120 packages intercepted by New Zealand Customs en route to houses around the Bay of Plenty.
William Luke Macfarlane, 37, and Charlotte Zelda Ward, 30, are heading to the High Court fortrial after pleading not guilty to more than 150 charges relating to importing Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine and possessing, supplying methamphetamine and GBL.
GBL is a precursor to GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid), which is most commonly known in New Zealand as fantasy or liquid ecstasy.
There are eight others also facing charges relating to the case. They are Jane Marie Dennis, Daniel McMeeking, Karla Wickham, Dena Keogh, Andrei Kupkovic, Shilo Te Kani, Deidre Donaldson and Te Awatea Tawa.
Macfarlane, who is in custody, appeared in the Rotorua District Court this week via audiovisual link before Judge Maree MacKenzie when it was decided the trial should be heard in the High Court.
Macfarlane faces 84 charges including 61 counts of importing GBL. The charging documents said the packages were seized by New Zealand Customs and were addressed to a range of people living in Rotorua, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Ōpōtiki, Pāpāmoa, Te Puke and Hamilton.
Macfarlane has also pleaded not guilty to five counts of importing methamphetamine, three counts of importing MDMA, two counts of possession of GBL for supply, three counts of possession of methamphetamine for supply, two counts of conspiring to supply methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a precursor substance, one charge of conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, one charge of supplying GBL, one charge of supplying methamphetamine, one charge of conspiring to supply GBL and one charge of supplying a precursor substance namely iodine.
He is also charged with receiving stolen property, namely iodine pills valued at $114,000, from an unknown person or people.
Charlotte Zelda Ward faces 73 charges including 60 counts of importing GBL.
She has also pleaded not guilty to three counts of importing MDMA, three counts of importing methamphetamine, two counts of possession of methamphetamine for supply, one count of conspiring to supply GBL, one count of possession of GBL for supply and one charge of failing to carry out an obligation relating to a computer search.
Rotorua Courthouse. Photo / File
Jane Marie Dennis is charged with one count of conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of GBL for supply.
Daniel McMeeking is charged with conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, conspiring to supply methamphetamine and possession of a precursor substance namely iodine.
Karla Wickham is charged with importing methamphetamine and importing GBL.
Dena Rose Keogh is charged with conspiring to supply GBL and possession of methamphetamine for supply.
Andrei Kupkovic is charged with two counts of importing a precursor substance and two counts of importing a class B controlled drug namely ephedrine.
Shilo Te Kani is charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply and importing GBL.
Deidre Anita Donaldson is charged with receiving $12,805 cash from William Macfarlane and being reckless as to where the cash had come from.
Te Awatea Tawa is charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply.
Some of the accuseds' appearances were excused when their case was called in court on Monday for a case review hearing.
The judge said Macfarlane and Ward's lawyers wanted the trial to be heard in the High Court and she also recommended it be heard there.
She said consideration must also be given to which court could hear the trial at the earliest time.
Judge MacKenzie remanded everyone on their present conditions to reappear on July 9 at 10am for a callover in the district court when a trial date would be set.
