8 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>June</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
Thursday <strong>June</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2022</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> • By David Clarkson A TRIBESMEN gang prospect has admitted his role in shifting millions of dollars of methamphetamine around the country during Covid lockdown. Police seized a shipment worth between $2 and $3 million in May 2020, and in the High Court at Christchurch this week, Tamal Edward McMeekan admitted possession of the drugs for supply. <strong>The</strong> Crown is seeking to seize $38,834 in cash the police found in a car and at the Bryndwr property when they carried out their search. Justice Rob Osborne remanded McMeekan in custody for sentencing on October 5, but did not enter convictions because that would likely stop him attending anger management and parenting courses in prison. Defence counsel Thomas Harre said he would seek a cultural report and psychiatric report on McMeekan ahead of sentencing. Justice Osborne has asked for a pre-sentence report by Community Probation. McMeekan, 41, admitted charges of meth possession for supply, possession of cannabis, a breach of the Covid lockdown rules in May 2020, and failing to assist an officer doing a search by denying access to his cellphone. Before his guilty pleas, the case had been heading for trial. Crown prosecutor April Mills said the police’s Canterbury Organised Crime Unit began Operation Soul, which was an investigation into drug dealing activities by members and associates of the Canterbury-based Tribesmen Motorcycle gang in October 2019. <strong>The</strong> investigation showed the Canterbury-based Tribesmen and associates were regularly involved in the purchase of significant quantities of methamphetamine from Aucklandbased supplies. <strong>The</strong> meth would be distributed to various South Island dealers. McMeekan was a gang prospect. <strong>The</strong> Crown said that the national Covid emergency lockdown was declared in March 2020, and while the country was Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Guilty plea to meth supply in level 3 lockdown with limits on travel, movements and associating with others, McMeekan arrived in Christchurch from Wellington on May 3. He had no legal basis allowing the travel. <strong>The</strong> next day, police swooped in when McMeekan and another man arrived in a car at a Bryndwr address. <strong>The</strong> other man has already admitted charges and is due for sentence in August. At McMeekan’s feet was a cardboard box containing three plastic bags with almost 3kg of methamphetamine with a street value of $2 to $3 million. Cash totalling $38,834 was found in 10 locations throughout the house and garage, the car, and in a shoulder bag belonging to McMeekan. <strong>The</strong> shoulder bag also had cannabis inside. In the other offender’s bedroom, the garage, and a sleepout, 35 used Prezzy cards worth more than $8500 were found. <strong>The</strong>y are a non-traceable credit card payment form that can be used in person, or online. McMeekan refused to give a detective constable the PIN code for his cellphone. He gave no explanation for his travel during lockdown. <strong>The</strong> Crown said: “<strong>The</strong> investigation established the Christchurch Tribesmen gang were involved in transporting significant sums of money to enable the purchase of up to 3kg to 4kg of methamphetamine at a time. “McMeekan was likely utilised by the gang due to his expertise with motorcycles, ability and flexibility to travel domestically to facilitate TMC drug offending around New Zealand, and his loyalty to TMC. “It is not believed that the defendant McMeekan held any degree of control or influence in the criminal enterprise, nor would he have received significant financial reward for his involvement.” NEWS 9 Accused no stranger to crime MCMEEKAN WAS jailed for seven years nine months in 2015 for his involvement in a drugs courier operation. <strong>The</strong>n aged 34, he was sentenced on two charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply, two of unlawful possession of a pistol, possession of implements for using methamphetamine, dealing in methamphetamine, and possession of cannabis for supply. After he had been arrested at a motel in Blenheim Rd and bailed, he arranged for other people to fly to Auckland and uplift methamphetamine and bring it to his address, Court News website reported. Two people were stopped by police at the Christchurch Airport, and found the drugs on a woman. When they searched McMeekan’s house they found a loaded shotgun, and charged him with possession of the shotgun, possession of methamphetamine, and supplying methamphetamine. McMeekan also made headlines in 2009 when he appeared in court with another man for what was described as a Dukes of Hazzard style raid on a Christchurch car yard where a car was jumped over the low perimeter fence. 1901 2023 In 2023, Ara joins Te Pūkenga In January 2023, Ara Institute of Canterbury joins Te Pūkenga - New Zealand’s Institute of Skills and Technology. Ara’s local flavour and focus won’t change, but your opportunities to achieve your goals in life will be even greater - whether you want to improve yourself, your job prospects, your community or the world! Ara and Te Pūkenga – empowering a brighter future.
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