JAIL FOR IMPORT OF DRUG RARE

WELLINGTON -- Imprisonment for the type of drugs offence which an
American billionaire got off on this year is rare, says a Justice
Ministry report.

The report, released yesterday, shows that of 91 people who had cases
involving the import or export of cannabis resin between 1989 and
1998, only 15 per cent were imprisoned, while nearly half - 45 per
cent - got off with a fine. Twenty-one per cent received a sentence of
periodic detention and 9 per cent - or eight people - were discharged
without conviction.

Fines ranged from $200 to $10,000, with the average just less than
$1600, according to the report. Imprisonment ranged from three weeks
to 12 years, with the average a little more than three years.

One person, in 1995, got name suppression.

There was a furore this year when an American billionaire was
discharged without conviction in the Otahuhu District Court after
admitting three charges of importing more than 100g of cannabis plant
and resin when he arrived in New Zealand early on January 5.

There were claims the man was treated differently from others because
he was rich.

The man's name was permanently suppressed, prohibiting New Zealand
news media from publishing any details about his identity, although he
has been named by the American media.

Justice Minister Phil Goff ordered a report from his officials on
sentencing consistency in the wake of the case.

The report also found that of 96 people charged with the importation
or export of cannabis plant between 1989 and 1998, none was imprisoned.

A fine was the most common sentence, with 7 per cent given periodic
detention. Fines ranged from $100 to $2500, at an average of $600.

Six people received a discharge without conviction while two people
received name suppression, in 1992 and 1993.

The report concludes that a discharge without conviction for the
importation or exportation of cannabis, while unusual, is not rare.

Mr Goff said it was not appropriate for him to comment on individual
cases.

He said all the report demonstrated was that while it was unusual for
someone to escape conviction, and even more unusual for them to get
their name suppressed, "these things do happen from time to happen".