A New Zealand man has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for trafficking over $1 million worth of methamphetamine on a ferry.
Stephen Hames Harland pleaded guilty to possession of a class-A drug after being stopped by armed police on Picton wharf with a kilogram of meth in September, 2015.
Harland, who described the situation as 'humiliating,' was handed a Nike bag and shoe box full of the drug by Rebels Motorcycle Club member Daryn Bruce Catley, who was sentenced to nine years jail last week.
Stephen Hames Harland (pictured) was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for trafficking over $1 million worth of methamphetamine
Harland was given the drugs by Rebels Motorcycle Club member Daryn Bruce Catley, who was sentenced to nine years jail last week
Harland attempted to drive a rental car with the drugs from Auckland to Christchurch via ferry at 8:30pm on September 14, 2015, after receiving the shipment from Catley the night before.
He drove off the boat at around midnight at Picton wharf where police, working under Operation Tea, arrested him.
Along with the 1.15kg of methamphetamine, police also found nearly $3000 in cash and three mobile phones.
Police then raided Catley's house in Christchurch, believed to be a Rebels Motorcycle club room.
Among the items seized were a small amount of meth, a sawn-off rifle and bikie paraphernalia.
Police raided several homes under Catley's name, seizing over $150,000 of cash and 12.5kg of ice
Another home under Catley's name was also raided, where police found a further 12.5kg of methamphetamine and over $150,000 in cash.
Justice John Fogarty described Harland as 'simply a courier' and that the bikie group 'are not your normal associates.'
'There is a very good prospect on your release that you will never offend again.'
Harland was allowed to hug and talk to his family before being led away.
'If I was ever put in this position again I would take the appropriate steps to find out what was in my possession and why it was in my possession,' Harland said.