Cash and drugs worth about half a million dollars were found in a Christchurch police swoop, the Crown said as a 44-year-old pleaded guilty.
Michael Heron admitted possession of methamphetamine for supply, unlawful possession of a pistol, and possession of a psychoactive substance for supply, in the Christchurch District Court.
He told police he had the pistol for his own protection, and the synthetic cannabis was for his own use.
The Crown summary of facts said on Wednesday November 2, Heron and two alleged co-offenders were in a car when stopped by police. Heron had $3935 cash on him and had just left a local motel on Riccarton Road.
The search of the motel room found a locked metal safe containing about 336g of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $336,000. In the room, the police found 112g of synthetic cannabis worth $1200.
At Heron’s address, they found a six-shot .32 calibre pistol with four live rounds, and more cash.
He said two other men arrested knew nothing about his offending, but police allege Heron was part of a group involved in the commercial sale of methamphetamine, and the $155,000 cash found was the proceeds from the dealing.
Judge Jane Farish remanded Heron in custody for sentencing on June 14.
The other two men had pleaded not guilty at an earlier court session, and were remanded in custody for a pre-trial argument on June 13.
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