Pita William Hapurona Wilson (46) appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine for supply and resisting arrest.
Wilson played for New Zealand Colts, Southland Stags, North Harbour and club rugby in Japan.
The charges came after New Zealand Customs intercepted a package from the United States containing 498g of methamphetamine on July 1.
That amount of the drug has a "conservative" street value of $300,000.
Its delivery was tracked and on July 18, police and New Zealand Customs arrived at Wilson’s house to execute a search.
Wilson fled from his home when he saw the police, taking the methamphetamine with him.
"As he ran, he ripped open the package, discarding its contents, destroying the methamphetamine in the process," the summary stated.
He hid in a small ravine and continued to dispose of the drug.
While he did not participate in a formal police interview, he explained he believed the police were members of the Mongrel Mob.
Yesterday, the court heard Wilson had gang relations and was pressured to commit the offence by "members higher up in the hierarchy".
Counsel Steven Lack argued this, along with Wilson’s difficult background and addiction, led to the offending.
Judge Harvey allowed a discount for Wilson’s harsh background and addiction.
"I have some sympathy for you and accept that while your background does not excuse the offending, it makes it entirely understandable," he said.
The court heard he had not used methamphetamine for two years.
In 2021 he received a prison sentence of 18 months for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and failing to comply with a medical officer, stemming from incidents in Dunedin and Alexandra in 2020.
In June 2016, after a seven-day trial, jurors found him guilty of kidnapping three men and the assault of one in Queenstown in late 2014. He was sentenced to three years and 10 months’ jail.
