10 Feb 2023
R v MACFARLANE [2023] NZHC 172
- Citation
- [2023] NZHC 172
- Court
- High Court
The Court found the manufacture of 730g methamphetamine was the lead offending and, given the defendant's leading role, sophisticated use of dark web/Bitcoin and organised infrastructure, set a high starting point (effectively global starting point ~14 years 8 months after modest uplift for criminal history). Mitigation for addiction and background was limited due to demonstrated deliberate agency; a modest total mitigation of 35% was applied (25% guilty plea, 5% addiction/early life, 5% remorse/rehabilitation), producing an end sentence of 9 years 6 months. A minimum period of imprisonment e…