Veteran activist accuses police of set-up

Veteran New Zealand cannabis law reform activist Dakta Green is accusing police of setting him up in what he calls "false and malicious charges."

Mr Green is accusing police of manufacturing evidence and pursuing a vendetta against him in an effort to derail his cannabis law reform activities. His latest cannabis charges stem from the April 22 raid on the motel unit where he was staying during his trial on charges arising from the June 2012 police raid on the Daktory. At the conclusion of this trial he was convicted and received a 28 month prison sentence.

The court was told by Police officers that they arrived at Dakta Greens motel after an "anonymous tip off" that he had sold cannabis to a teenager at the motel he was staying at. Upon arrival police noted that they could 'smell cannabis' and proceed to evoke the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 and search the premises, after finding a small amount of cannabis Dakta Green was arrested.

Mr Green's lawyer alleges that with the use of a private investigator they have evidence a police officer arrived at the motel days before the search while Mr Green was in court and went through his room. This police activity was not recorded by police but has been confirmed by the motel manager. The court was told the police are looking into this and are very concerned as to why there is no record of the visit to the motel or the alleged search.

Dakta Green believes the raid was in retaliation to exposing what he says is perjury and corruption by the officer in charge during his previous trial. Their search had been ruled unlawful.

Defense also told that court that the "anonymous tip off" 111 call was fake and part of the alleged set up, the judge will be ruling on the validity of the call.

The pretrial hearing has been set for Monday August 31st, Auckland District Court. Friends and supporters of Dakta have put out a call for action and are asking anyone who supports cannabis law reform to come along.

For more details and to keep up to date go here: www.facebook.com/events/407703916084102/

Posted by Legalise Cannabis in New Zealand Movement on Wednesday, 22 July 2015