PROMISING PLAYER TURNED FROM LEAGUE TO DRUGS

Kelly Makoari could have been a professional rugby league player but he
turned down the opportunity in order to be with his family - and turned to
drugs instead.

Aged 22 he moved from Hawke's Bay to Wellington to pursue a promising rugby
league career. He was offered a contract with an Australian club but could
not take it because of family commitments.

Yesterday, in the High Court at Napier, the "family man" was jailed for
2-1/2 years for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of
cannabis for supply. He had earlier pleaded guilty to both charges.

The court was told Makoari, 40, unemployed, from Te Hauke near Hastings,
was stopped by police on October 31.

They found equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine, chemicals needed
to produce the drug and 15 one-gram cannabis packages.

Lawyer Steve Manning said Makoari had been using methamphetamine for about
18 months. As part of receiving the drug he was obliged to do "something in
return" and had been asked to shift some equipment and chemicals to another
address. After being caught he "sobbed" and admitted his role.

Mr Manning said Makoari had been drawn into a gang when he returned to
Hawke's Bay. However, has family always came first and he wanted to cut his
gang ties.

He was remorseful for his actions and deserved a significant discount for
his guilty plea.

Justice France said Makoari's pre-sentence report showed he was a
supportive husband and father. But aggravating features of his offending
were previous drug offences and the fact he had admitted trying to make a
class A drug.

Parliament had reclassified methamphetamine to a class A drug to reflect
that it was a cause for serious concern.

Justice France jailed Makoari for 2-1/2 years on the methamphetamine charge
and six months for possession of cannabis.

Both sentences are to be served concurrently.