New Zealand: Man Charged for Illegally Grown Tobacco

Source from:  NZCity (nz) 06/12/2012

Customs says the amount of tobacco illegally grown by a Motueka man is the most they've found in recent years. Lawrence Jury has been fined $6,000 after being charged with being a party to the unlawful manufacture of tobacco. Nearly 5,000 kilos of tobacco leaf was found at his house two years ago, and it would be worth around $2 million if manufactured into tobacco. Customs Manager Shane Panettiere says the 60-year-old grew, harvested, flue-cured and sold the tobacco knowing he was breaking the rules. "The maximum penalty for these offences is around $20,000 and so the $6,000 penalty that was handed down is very pleasing." "This would probably be the largest that we have found in recent years." This is the second tobacco related offence for the 60-year-old who was convicted of unlawful manufacture in 2007. Ross Ferguson has also been fined $1,500 for his part in the scheme. Mr Panettiere says people over 18 are allowed to manufacture up to 15 kilograms of tobacco a year grown on their own property for their own use, but for any more than that they need to be licensed. Enditem