Drugs CIB011 Flashcards
What is S6(1)(a)-(f) MODA1975?
(6) Dealing with controlled drugs
(1) Except as provided in section 8, or pursuant to a licence under this Act, or as otherwise permitted by regulations made under this Act, no person shall—
(a) import into or export from New Zealand any controlled drug; or
(b) produce or manufacture any controlled drug; or
(c) supply or administer, or offer to supply or administer, any Class A controlled drug or Class B controlled drug to any other person, or otherwise deal in any such controlled drug; or
(d) supply or administer, or offer to supply or administer, any Class C controlled drug to a person under 18 years of age; or
(e) sell, or offer to sell, any Class C controlled drug to a person of or over 18 years of age; or
(f) have any controlled drug in his possession for any of the purposes set out in paragraphs (c), (d), or (e)
What is S6(2)(a)(b)&(c) MOD1975?
(6) Dealing with controlled drugs
(2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to—
(a) imprisonment for life where a Class A controlled drug was the controlled drug or one of the controlled drugs in relation to which the offence was committed:
(b) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years where paragraph (a) does not apply but a Class B controlled drug was the controlled drug or one of the controlled drugs in relation to which the offence was committed:
(c) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 8 years in any other case
What is S6(2A) MODA1975?
(2A) Every person who conspires with any other person to commit an offence against subsection (1) commits an offence against this Act and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term—
(a) not exceeding 14 years where a Class A controlled drug was the controlled drug in relation to which the offence was committed:
(b) not exceeding 10 years where paragraph (a) does not apply but a Class B controlled drug was the controlled drug or one of the controlled drugs in relation to which the offence was committed:
(c) not exceeding 7 years in any other case.
What is S6(3) MODA1975?
Repealed fool.
What is S6(4) MODA1975?
SHORT:
(4) Where any person is convicted of an offence relating to Class A CD against para (a), (b), (c), or (f) the judge shall impose a sentence of imprisonment unless, having regard to the particular circumstances of the offence or the offender, including the age if he is under 20 years, the Judge or court is of the opinion that the offender should not be so sentenced.
LONG:
(4) Notwithstanding anything in Part 1 or section 39 or section 81 of the Sentencing Act 2002, where any person is convicted of an offence relating to a Class A controlled drug—
(a) against paragraph (c) or paragraph (f) of subsection (1); or
(b) against paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of subsection (1) committed in circumstances indicating to the Judge or court an intention to offend against paragraph (c) of that subsection,— the Judge or court shall impose a sentence of imprisonment (within the meaning of that Act) unless, having regard to the particular circumstances of the offence or of the offender, including the age of the offender if he is under 20 years of age, the Judge or court is of the opinion that the offender should not be so sentenced.
What is S6(4A) MODA1975?
(4A) Without limiting anything in subsection (4) or in Part 1 or section 39 or section 81 of the Sentencing Act 2002, where any person is convicted of an offence relating to a Class A controlled drug or a Class B controlled drug against any of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (f) of subsection (1), the Judge or court, if he or it decides to impose a sentence of imprisonment, shall consider whether or not he or it should also impose a fine.
What is S6(5) MODA1975?
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (e) of subsection (1), if it is proved that a person has supplied a controlled drug to another person he shall until the contrary is proved be deemed to have sold that controlled drug to that other person.
What is S6(6) MODA1975?
(6) For the purposes of subsection (1)(f), a person is presumed, until the contrary is proved, to be in possession of a controlled drug for any of the purposes in subsection (1)(c), (d), or (e) if he or she is in possession of the controlled drug in an amount, level, or quantity at or over which the controlled drug is presumed to be for supply (see section 2(1A)).
What is S2(1A) MODA1975?
2 Interpretation (1) Class A controlled drug = Schedule 1 Class B controlled drug = Schedule 2 Class C controlled drug = Schedule 3; and includes any temporary class drug and any controlled drug analogue.
Under Schedule 3 part 7: any controlled drug analogue means any substance that has a structure substantially similar to that of any controlled drug
Define importation
In relation to any goods, means the arrival of the goods in NZ in any manner, whether lawfully or unlawfully, from a point outside of NZ.
Saxton v Police
(Posted cannabis resin from London to his address in Dunedin). To import includes to “introduce from abroad or cause to be brought in from a foreign country”.
- To import includes to bring in.
List 4 ways that drugs are imported into NZ:
- Have drugs concealed on their person or in their luggage
- Have another person (a ‘mule’) bring the drugs in for them
- Send or have drugs set by international mail or courier
- Conceal drugs in legitimate goods, eg. within shipping containers
What is the process of importation?
Importation is the process that commences at the point of origin and continues until the drugs have reached their ultimate destination in NZ. The process continues while the drugs are in transit.
R v Hancox
(Girl and 2 parcels of MDMA at the post shop)
The bringing of goods into the country or causing them to be brought into the country does not cease as the aircraft or vessels enters NZ’s territorial limits. Importing into NZ for the purpose of 6(1)(a) is a process. The element of importing exists form the time the goods enter NZ until they reach their immediate destination. Ie. when they cease to be in the control of the appropriate authorities and have become available to the consignee or addressee.
How do you prove the defendants guilty knowledge (meas rea) of importing?
Proof that the defendant:
- Knew about the importation and
- knew the imported substance was a controlled drug and
- intended to cause importation
What does wilful blindness mean in terms of importation?
In terms of proving guilty knowledge, proof that the defendant deliberately turned a blind eye to the facts will suffice.
Define the “time of exportation” under S53 Customs and Excise Act 1996:
The time of exportation is the time when the exporting craft leaves the last customs place at which that craft calls immediately before proceeding to a point outside NZ.
Under the MODA1975, ‘NZ’ means the land and the waters enclosed by the outer limits of the territorial sea of NZ.
How big is the “outer limit of the territorial sea”?
12 nautical miles from the land mass of NZ.
Define ‘any controlled drug’:
Any controlled drug means any substance, preparation, mixture, or article specified or described in schedule 1, 2, or 3 in this act and includes any controlled drug analogue.
What is controlled drug analogue?
Is any substance with a structure substantially similar to a controlled drug. It is a substance that has similar dangerous effects, but is not specifically listed in the schedules.
What class is a controlled drug analogue?
Class C.
Define and list Class A drugs:
Class A controlled drug are described in schedule 1 and poses a very high risk of harm to individuals.
- cocaine
- methamphetamine
- heroin
- LSD
Define and list Class B drugs:
Class B controlled drugs are described in schedule 2 and poses a high risk of harm to individuals.
- cannabis oil
- amphetamine
- MDMA (ecstasy)
- morphine
Define and list Class C drugs:
Class C controlled drugs are described in schedule 3 and poses a moderate risk of harm to individuals.
- cannabis plant
- cannabis seed
- BZP (benzylpiperazine)
- controlled drug analogues
What controlled drugs are not included as offences of ‘importing’ or ‘exporting’?
Controlled drugs listed in schedule 3, part 6 are not included under S6(1)(a).
R v Strawbridge
It is not necessary for the Crown to establish knowledge on the part of the accused. 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 Emerali
Possession of a controlled drug does not extend to some minute and useless residue of the substance.
R v Rua
The words ‘produce’ or ‘manufacture’ in S6(1)(b) broadly cover the creation of controlled drugs by some form of process which changes the original substances into particular controlled drugs
What is the difference between producing and manufacturing?
Producing can be described as changing the nature of the original substance, and manufacturing is creating a different substance from the original materials.
What is ‘producing’?
Producing means to bring something into being, or to bring something into existence from its raw materials or element.
In legislation it includes ‘compound’ which means to create a role by mixing or combining two or more elements or parts.
Eg. separating cannabis resin from cannabis plant to create oil.
What is ‘manufacturing’?
Manufacturing is the process of synthesis; combining components or processing raw materials to create a new substance.
Eg. manufacturing methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine.
When is the offence complete in terms of ‘manufacturing’s ‘producing’?
Once the prohibited substance is created, whether or not it is in a useable form.
What is S29B MODA1975?
29B Special provisions where offence relating to cannabis preparations alleged
In relation to any cannabis preparation the following provisions shall apply:
(a) it shall be for the prosecution to prove that the preparation to which the charge relates contains any tetrahydrocannabinols:
(b) subject to paragraph (a), the preparation shall be deemed to have been produced by subjecting cannabis plant material to some kind of processing unless it is in a form that is clearly recognisable as plant material:
(c) plant material means the whole or any part of the leaf, flower, or stalk of any plant (of whatever species):
(d) the question of whether or not any preparation is in a form that is clearly recognisable as plant material shall, in the event of dispute between the prosecutor and the defendant, be determined by the jury (or, if there is no jury, by the Judge as a question of fact) by means of a visual inspection unaided by any microscope or magnifying glass (other than spectacles ordinarily worn) or by any other device.
R v Maginnis
Supply involves more than the mere transfer of physical control. It includes enabling the recipient to apply the thing to purposes for which he desires.
Define ‘supply’:
Includes to distribute, give, and sell.
What is distributing?
Distributing relates to the supply of drugs to multiple people.
What is ‘giving’?
The act of giving is complete when the recipient accepts possession, or where the drug is placed under the control of a willing participant.
What is ‘administering’?
It involves introducing the drug directly into another persons system.
In regards to ‘offerring to supply or administer’ what two elements must the prosecutor prove?
- the communicating of an offer to supply or administer a controlled drug (actus reus)
- an intention that the other person believes he offer to be genuine (the mens rea)
R v During
An offer is an intimation by the person charged to another that he is ready on request to supply the controlled drug.
R v Brown (offers to supply)
The defendant is guilty in the following instances, of ‘offers to supply a drug’:
(1) that he has on hand
(2) that will be procured at some future dates
(3) that he mistakingly believes he can supply
(4) deceitfully, knowing he will not supply that drug
R v Brown (intimation)
The making of such intimation, with the intention that it should be understood as a genuine offer, is an offence.
What is an example of ‘otherwise deals’?
Barter or exchange
R v Forrest and Forrest
The best evidence possible in the circumstances should be adduced by the prosecution in proof of the victims age.
What are the two elements of possession?
Physical element: physical custody or control over the drugs. Actual or potential.
Mental element: requires a combination of knowledge (awareness that the substance is in his possession and knowledge that it is a controlled drug) and intention (to possess the controlled drug).
When considering whether a person knows the qualities of a substance, you need to establish three things. What are they?
- know they have the substance
- know the substances nature or qualities
- intend to use the substance in a way that allows you to charge them with possession
R v Cox
Possession involves two elements, 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 awareness by the accused that the substance is in his possession; and an intention to exercise possession.
What is attempted possession?
Obtaining something harmless (innocuous) in the mistaken belief that it is a drug.
In R v Jay, he was in possession of a bag that he thought was cannabis which turned out to be hedge clippings. He had criminal intent and did an act for the purpose of accomplishing his object and is therefore guilty of an attempt to commit an offence (possession)
In relation to that charge of ‘possession’, what must the Crown prove the defendant had? (4)
- knowledge that the drug exists
- knowledge that it is a controlled drug
- some degree of control over it
- an intention to possess it
What are the two types of intent?
- Intent to commit the offence (deliberate act)
2. Intent to produce a specified result
When proving intent in drug supply cases, what are three additional pieces of evidence that could be gathered?
- admissions
- circumstantial evidence (packaging, scales, cash, tick lists etc.)
- the statutory presumption under 6(6)
Where in the Act can the specified presumptive amounts be found?
Schedule 5 of the Act.
What are some examples of drugs and their presumptive amounts?
Heroin = 0.5g Cocaine = 0.5g LSD = 2.5mg or 25 flakes, tables etc Meth = 5g Cannabis oil/resin = 5g Cannabis plant = 28g or 100 or more cigarettes
Where a controlled drug is not listed in Schedule 5, how much is the presumptive amount?
56 grams
What is conspiracy?
It is an agreed intention which is common on the mind of the conspirators and a common desire to commit the offence, rather than any actual action.