Poaching accused: charges withdrawn

One of four men accused of illegally poaching deer from farms in Pyes Pa, Te Puke, Oropi and Rotorua has had his charges dropped.

Maunganui Charlie Panapa, 24, was jointly charged with thefts of animals after being arrested in March in relation to an illegal poaching ring operating across the Bay of Plenty.

More than 130 rusa, red and fallow deer, valued from $700 to $4500 each, were stolen as part of the poaching operation.

Panapa appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday where Judge Christopher Harding withdrew the charge at the request of Panapa's lawyer Tony Balme and the police prosecutor.

Panapa's co-accused, Storm Panapa, 17, Bradley Duncan McKenzie, 19, and Scott Stephen Darroch, 18, appeared in the Tauranga Registrar's Court charged with thefts of animals.

Storm Panapa and Scott Darroch were remanded on bail for a status hearing on July 17.

Bradley McKenzie's case was transferred to appear in Morrinsville District Court on July 3.

The charges stem from an illegal poaching ring operating across properties in Pyes Pa, Te Matai Road, Oropi and Rotorua between January and December last year.

The accused were arrested following police raids in Matamata.

During the raids on March 19, police seized 11 firearms, including three .270 high-powered hunting rifles, a .303 rifle, a .243 high-calibre rifle and two shotguns.

Police also seized three vehicles during the raids.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Constable Tim Bonnar says more than 130 rusa, red and fallow deer, valued from $700 to $4500 each, were stolen as part of the poaching operation.

'We treat poaching as a very serious matter, particularly when it involves people running around on public farms with high-calibre weapons.”

Police urge the public to remain vigilant.

People are asked to report suspicious activity to their local police station or alternatively, they can leave information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You may also like....

2 comments

Typical.

Posted on 19-06-2013 09:13 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Typical that he had his charges dropped. Justice system has turned soft.


@typical

Posted on 19-06-2013 11:39 | By morepork

Maybe not. Perhaps he traded information for having the charges dropped; perhaps he is actually innocent. Either way, his lawyer and the prosecution would not agree to dropping charges without some reason for it. Having said that, I agree with you that some of the penalties we are seeing would indicate that the system is too soft. I don't personally believe punishment really achieves much; we need to change people's minds about anti-social behaviour. Hence my comment about public humiliation as a penalty for home invasions.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.