Hamilton retailer charged under Psychoactive Substances Act

Waikato Police and the District Health Board say they would rather prevent harm than take enforcement action but hope that the first prosecution under new legislation will prevent other business owners from contemplating breaking the law.

Police District Prevention Manager, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said a review of evidence resulting from last week's search of a Beerescourt store, in which over 1200 packets of synthetic cannabis products were seized, has resulted in the owner being summonsed to appear on two charges under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

"The 33-year-old man has been charged on one count of selling/ supplying a non-approved psychoactive product under Section 70 (1) (a) of the Psychoactive Substances Act.

"He faces a second charge of possession for sale/ supply of a non-approved psychoactive product under Section 70 (1) (c) of the same act. We understand these are the first charges to be made since the act's introduction."

Waikato District Health Board health protection advisor Nick Young said the DHB took no pleasure in having the first dairy or superettee in the country being prosecuted under this legislation being in Hamilton.

"It is concerning to see some ignoring the new law and we just hope the message is getting through. Under the legislation the penalties for this are quite high so we hope this sends out a strong message to other retailers looking to flout the law.

"As the year goes by we will be doing more and more enforcement ourselves."

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