New Zealand / Regional

Five in court on drugs charges

21:40 pm on 10 June 2009

Five people arrested over an alleged drug-smuggling ring at Rimutaka Prison appeared in Wellington District Court on Wednesday.

Amanda Meynell, a 33-year-old prostitute, is facing four charges, including selling cannabis to a person over 18 and possession of cannabis in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Jacqueline Smith, a 36-year-old unemployed woman, is facing seven similar charges.

Mathew Kidman, 28, faces five charges, including cultivating cannabis and conspiring to sell the drug.

David Kira, 34, faces one charge of conspiring to sell drugs, as does a fifth man whose name is suppressed.

All five will reappear in court next month.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Reid, a senior prison manager, will reappear in court on Monday on related charges.