New Zealand DJ convicted in Cook Islands of importing cocaine and cannabis

The court heard that Dave was invited to the Cook Islands as a DJ for a birthday party on September 6 last year. The suspect was also asked to take some items with him for people who would contact him when he arrived in Rarotonga.

On arrival at Rarotonga International Airport he was questioned and searched by border security. A large container of protein powder was found that he said was for someone else.

The court heard he was given a container of protein powder to take to Rarotonga, but upon arrival it was found that prohibited items had been hidden in the powder.

The items found included a small zip-lock bag containing 31.9 grams of cocaine, four packets of cannabis kept in cling film, layers of coffee powder weighing 836.5 grams and eight blue Viagra pills.

Judge Doherty said the substances were sent for analysis and found to be cocaine and cannabis.

The Crown has argued that there is no evidence that the suspect was aware of the contents. The judge found it significant that the Crown could not prove this.

Judge Doherty said the suspect had admitted the charges and accepted full responsibility.

He said the aggravating factors were the significant amount of cannabis and cocaine in Dave’s possession.

The judge said the defendant was reluctant to “involve anyone” and that he had some knowledge of the risk he was taking.

Judge Doherty said the Crown had stated this was the first significant case involving cocaine, a Class A drug, being brought into the country.

According to his probation report, Dave is a Cook Islander who grew up in New Zealand and left school at the age of 16 when his then partner became pregnant.

He grew up in a typical family of six, where he was the only male. His parents are both deceased.

The report also states that Dave has six children, but his daughter died in a car accident in 2020. The loss has had a devastating effect on the defendant, which he has struggled to cope with, according to the probation report.

Dave had been living with his cousin since September last year, carrying out renovation and maintenance work at a resort in Rarotonga.

Attorney Short said in his submissions that the suspect had been estranged from his family as a result of the charges and it had not been an easy road for him.

Short provided nine letters of support, saying his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and that his naivety had landed him in this situation. The lawyer asked for a milder sentence.

Dave was sentenced to 20 months in prison for the main charge, including six months for false reporting, to be served concurrently.

Judge Doherty also ordered the destruction of the seized class A and C drugs.

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