Jurors reached the verdict after just two hours of deliberation, convicting the 41-year-old of manslaughter and possession of methamphetamine for supply. However, Kahlon was acquitted of a separate charge related to possession of cocaine for supply. Sagala's family, present in the courtroom, reacted emotionally, with his sisters in tears as the decision was read. His mother quietly whispered, "Thank God," Herald quoted.
Prosecutors portrayed Kahlon as one of two individuals involved in a scheme to smuggle 700 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine into New Zealand. The drugs, hidden within 28,800 cans of Honey Bear House Beer and 22,680 bottles of kombucha, had an estimated street sale value of $80 million.
Kahlon reportedly distributed the unlabelled beer cans to friends, family, and colleagues at Fonterra, unaware that some contained the deadly drug. Prosecutor Robin McCoubrey argued that Kahlon, eager to appear as the "fun boss," recklessly handed out the contaminated beer, despite knowing some cans held methamphetamine.
“It’s plain he wanted to be seen as the fun boss,” McCoubrey said in his closing address. “These cans are worthless, other than the cans containing the meth ... so you might as well give them away.”
Defence lawyer Emma Priest countered that Kahlon had been deceived by his co-defendant and had no knowledge that the beer contained methamphetamine. Priest claimed her client, devastated by Sagala's death, was "duped" by the unnamed co-defendant, who pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges prior to trial.
“Mr Kahlon’s actions in giving away beers have resulted in the death of Aiden Sagala,” Priest acknowledged. “No one is disputing the tragedy in this case.”
However, Priest argued that Kahlon’s lack of knowledge about the contamination meant he could not be held criminally reckless. She further pointed out that Kahlon had consumed some of the beer himself, unaware it was tainted, and that his relationship with the co-defendant was one of misplaced trust.
“He blindly trusted a man that he respected,” Priest said. “His trust of people, sadly, has been his downfall.”
Despite the defence’s arguments, McCoubrey highlighted that Kahlon was a competent manager who oversaw 27 people at Fonterra and was fully aware of the drug operation. Kahlon’s involvement, including handling buckets of crystalline substances and packing methamphetamine into bags, was revealed during police interviews.
“He’s no idiot,” McCoubrey stated, adding that Kahlon played a direct role in the drug operation and wasn’t merely an unwitting participant.
Both manslaughter and possession of methamphetamine for supply carry potential life sentences. Justice Kiri Tahana has scheduled Kahlon's sentencing for February.
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