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
What does the prosecution need to prove for offering to supply or administer
The prosecution must prove two elements:
- The communicating of an offer to supply or administer a controlled drug (actus reus)
- An intention that the other person believes the offer to be genuine (mens rea)
R v During (offering to supply or administer)
An offer is an intimation by the person charged to another that he is ready on request to supply to that other drugs of a kind prohibited by the statute
R v Brown (offering to supply or administer)
The defendant is guilty in the following instances:
- Offers to supply a drug that he has on hand
- Offers to supply a drug that will be produced at some future date
- Offers to supply a drug the he mistakenly believes he can supply
- Offers to supply a drug deceitfully, knowing he will not supply that drug
How can an offer be conveyed?
Can be conveyed in words, writing or gestures
Define “otherwise deals in”
Aimed at dealing in a drug by means other than distributing, giving or selling it, administering it or offering to supply or administer it
Eg. barter or exchange
Liability Supplies a class C controlled drug to persons under 18 years
Supplies a class C controlled drug to persons under 18 years s6(1)(d) MODA75
Supplies OR Administers OR Offers to supply or administer Any class C controlled drug To any persons under 18 years
R v Forrest and Forrest (age)
The best evidence possible in the circumstances should be adduced by the prosecution in proof of the victim’s age
What is the best way to prove the age of a person?
Producing the person’s birth certificate in conjunction with independent evidence that identifies the victim as the person named in the certificate
Liability Sells a class C controlled drug to person of or over 18 years
Sells a class C controlled drug to person of or over 18 years s6(1)(e) MODA75
Sells OR Offers to sell Any class C controlled drug To a person of or over 18 years
What is stated in s6(5) MODA75 when it comes to selling class C to person over 18 years
In absence of evidence to contrary presumption class C controlled drug supplied to person over 18 is SOLD. Means defendant has to prove on balance of probability that there was no sale
Liability
Possession of controlled drugs for supply
Possession of controlled drugs for supply
s6(1)(f) MODA75
Has in his or her possession
Any controlled drug
For the purposes of supply
R v Cox (possession)
R v Cox
Possession involves two elements. The first, the physical element, is actual or potential physical custody or control. The second, the mental element, is a combination of knowledge and intention: knowledge in the sense of an awareness by the accused that the substance is in his possession; and an intention to exercise possession
What four things are needed to prove for possession?
- Knowledge that the drug exists
- Knowledge that its a controlled drug
- Actual physical control or some degree of control
- Intent to possess
Define control
Means to exercise authoritative or dominating influence or command over it
A person can control something not in their possession and conversely can have something in their possession that they have no control of (someone slips drugs in their pocket)
Define intent
Two parts: an intention to commit an act (must be deliberate and not accidental or involuntary) and an intention to get a specific result (think aim, object, purpose)
How do you prove intent?
The offenders actions and words before, during and after event
The surrounding circumstances
The nature of the act itself
Admissions
Circumstantial evidence (packaging, scales, cash, tick lists etc)
The statutory presumption
What are the presumptions for supply?
Heroin = 0.5g Cocaine = 0.5g LSD = 2.5mg or 25 flakes/tablets Meth = 5g MDMA (Ecstasy) = 5g or 100 flakes/tablets Cannabis resin or extract (oil) = 5g Cannabis plant = 28g or 100+ cigarettes If not specified = 56g
Liability
Conspiring to deal with controlled drug
Conspiring to deal with controlled drug
s6(2A) MODA75
Conspires
With any other person
To deal any controlled drug
Define conspiracy
Agreed intention between conspirators and common design to commit offence against S6(1) MDA 1975. Conspiracy complete once agreement is made
What are the penalties for the offences under s6(1) and s6(2A) MODA75
s6(1) Life = when class A drug relates Not exceeding 14 years = when class B drug relates Not exceeding 8 years = in every other case
s6(2A) 14 years = where class A drug relates 10 years = where class B drug relates Not exceeding 7 years = in every other case
Define s12A(1) MODA75 - supplies equipment/precursors etc.
Liable for 7 years if supplied, produced, manufactured:
(a) any equipment/material capable of being used for the commission of offence against s6(1)(b) or s9
OR
(b) any precursor substance
AND
Knowing the equipment/material/substance is to be used for commission of offence against those provisions
Define equipment, material and precursor substances as part of s12A(1) MODA75
Equipment - implements, apparatus, other hardware used (eg. glassware, condensers, heating mantles, pots).
Material - anything used that can’t be described as equipment (eg. chemicals and instructions).
Precursor substance - substance specified part 1/2 schedule 4. Means “fore runner”, comes before something else. Substance that’s starting point in chemical process that’ll result in creation new drug (eg. ephedrine)
Define s12A(2) MODA75 - possession of equipment/precursors with intent to use
Liable 5 years if in possession;
(a) equipment/material capable of being used for commission of offence against S6(1)(b) or S9 OR
(b) Any precursor substance AND
with intent equipment/material/substance used for commission offence against those provisions by himself or another person
Define s9 MODA75 - cultivating prohibited plants
Liable 7 years except pursuant to license or regulations under this Act can’t cultivate prohibited plant.
Defense if prohibited plant was Papaver Somniferum and not intended to be source of controlled drug OR not developed as strain controlled drug could be produced