Courier Employee Foils Cannabis Shipment to South Island

A bid to send cannabis across the Cook Strait was disrupted when a courier company employee detected the strong smell of the drug. The package, containing 445 grams of dried cannabis leaf material, was intended for delivery to Tākaka. The incident led to the arrest of Anthony Ellison, 40, who appeared in the New Plymouth District Court on March 5, 2024.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered the sender’s name and contact information on the package receipt, allowing them to quickly identify Ellison as the source. Following the notification from the courier employee, police conducted a search of Ellison’s residence in New Plymouth. There, they uncovered four “large” cannabis plants growing in pots on his deck, along with a “jungle grow tent,” grow lights, and a set of scales, all of which were seized.

During questioning, Ellison admitted to taking the package to the courier for a friend but acknowledged that the plants found at his home were indeed his. In court, his defense lawyer, Emily Forsyth, argued that Ellison’s actions did not involve any commercial gain. She emphasized that he was in full-time employment with a recent career advancement opportunity and underwent random drug testing at work. Forsyth proposed that community detention, with a weekend curfew, would be an appropriate sentence to accommodate Ellison’s work commitments.

Police prosecutor Lewis Sutton did not contest the defense’s claims but requested a destruction order for the cannabis and cultivation equipment. Judge Hikaka acknowledged Ellison’s extensive criminal record, noting he had no prior convictions for drug offenses. “You could count yourself fortunate,” the judge remarked, indicating that the quantity of cannabis and the intention to send it could have led to more serious charges.

After considering the circumstances, Judge Hikaka agreed on community detention with a three-month duration, including a weekend curfew. He also imposed an additional six months of supervision and authorized a destruction order for both the cannabis and the cultivation equipment.

This case highlights ongoing issues surrounding cannabis cultivation and distribution in New Zealand, as well as the responsibilities of courier companies in identifying suspicious packages.