Drugs Flashcards
Liability
Imports into or exports from NZ a controlled drug
Imports into or exports from NZ a controlled drug
s6(1)(a) MODA75
Imports into New Zealand
OR
Exports from New Zealand
Any controlled drug
Define imports
s5 Customs and Excise Act 2018
Arrival of goods in NZ an any manner (lawfully or unlawfully) from a point outside of NZ
Saxton v Police (imports)
To introduce from abroad or to cause to be brought in from a foreign country
When does the criminal liability start for imports/export and refer to appropriate case law
Criminal liability starts as soon as it crosses the NZ border and continues while in transit until the consignee
R v Hancox
Bringing goods into the country or causing them to be brought into the country does not cease as the aircraft or vessel enters NZ territorial limits. The element of importing exists at the time the goods enter NZ until they reach their immediate destination eg. when they have ceased to be under the control of the appropriate authorities and have become available to the consignee or addressee
What is the mens rea of importing
- Guilty knowledge
- Defendant knew about the importation AND
- Defendant knew the imported substance was a controlled drug
- Defendant intended to cause the importation
Define wilful blindness
In terms of proving guilty knowledge, proof that the defendant deliberately turned a blind eye to the facts will suffice
Define NZ in terms of s5 Customs and Excise Act 2018
Land and waters enclosed by the outer limits of the territorial sea of NZ - outer limit is 12 nautical miles from the NZ land mass
Define controlled drug
Any substance, preparation, mixture, or article specified or described in Schedules 1, 2, 3 and includes any controlled drug analouge
What is a class A drug and give some examples
Controlled drugs specified or described in Schedule 1. They pose a very high risk of harm to individuals and society
Cocaine Heroin LSD Methamphetamine Psilocybine
What is a class B drug and give some examples
Controlled drugs specified or described in Schedule 2. They pose a high risk of harm
Amphetamine Cannabis preparations (cannabis oil, hashish) GHB MDMA Morphine Opium Pseudoephedrine Ephedrine
What is a class C drug and give some examples
Controlled drugs specified or described in Schedule 3. They pose a moderate risk of harm
Cannabis plant
Cannabis seeds
BZP
Controlled drug analogues
What is a controlled drug analogue
Any substance such as those described in Part 7 of Schedule 3 and has a structure substantially similar to that of any controlled drug but does NOT include:
- Substance specified in schedule 1 or 2 OR parts 1-6 of schedule 3
- Pharmacy only medicine/prescription medicine/restricted medicine
- Approved product within meaning of Psychoactive Substances Act 2013
R v Strawbridge (knowledge)
It is not necessary for the crown to establish knowledge on the part of the accused. In the absence of evidence to the contrary knowledge on her part will be presumed, but if there is some evidence that the accused honestly believed on reasonable grounds that her act was innocent, then she is entitled to be acquitted unless the jury is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that this was not so
Police v Emirali (usable quantity)
Possessing a narcotic does not extend to some minute and useless residue of the substance
Liability
Produces or manufactures a controlled drug
Produces or manufactures a controlled drug
s6(1)(b) MODA75
Produces
OR
Manufactures
Any controlled drug
R v Rua (producing/manufacturing)
The words produce or manufacture broadly cover the creation of controlled drugs by some form of process which changes the original substances into a particular controlled drug
Define producing
Bring something into existence from its raw materials or elements. Includes compound which is creating a whole by mixing or combining two or more elements or parts
Examples:
- Separating out component parts like cannabis resin/oil from cannabis plants
- Pulverising magic mushrooms and placing in capsules ISN’T because didn’t produce psilocybine - didn’t bring something new into existence
Define manufacturing
Process of synthesis. Combining components or processing raw materials to create new substance.
Examples:
- Methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine
- Heroin from morphine
When is the offence of producing/manufacturing complete?
Once the prohibited substance is created, whether or not in a usable form
Define what cannabis preparation are
s29B MODA75
Cannabis preparation is when cannabis plant is subjected to some kind of processing rendering it unrecognisable as plant (eg. cannabis oil or cannabis cake). For prosecution to prove preparation contains tetrahydrocannabinols.
This upgrades from class C to B
Liability Supplies class A or class B controlled drug
Supplies class A or class B controlled drug s6(1)(c) MODA75
Supplies OR Administers OR Offers to supply or administer OR Otherwise deals in Any class A or class B controlled drug To any other person
Give the definitions of supplies, distribute, give and sell
Supply - includes distribute, give and sell
Distribute - supply to multiple people. Includes distribution of jointly owned property between co-owners
Give - hand over OR in some other way transfer to another person. Giving complete when accept possession OR placed under control of willing recipient. Includes EG when passively permits another to help themselves to drugs
Sell - drug is exchanged for valuable consideration (doesn’t have to be money)
R v Maginnis (supply)
Supply involves more than transfer of physical control. Includes enabling recipient to use it for the purpose he desired
Define administers
Introducing drug directly into another person’s system
Eg. injecting a person with heroin or heating cannabis resin on knife while another person inhales