A drug dealer who was arrested just days before sitting the final exams of his four-year university degree has avoided imprisonment. Graham, who studied environmental science at the University of Otago, used text messages and social-media app Snapchat to organise drug sales over several months last year. Judge Emma Smith accepted it was an unsophisticated operation, evidence of which was readily apparent once police had the defendant’s cellphone. The deals, counsel Andrew Dawson said, happened about once a week, and he stressed they did not involve large quantities of drugs. "They’re horrified by it, they’re depressed by it, disappointed in you beyond measure but you are their son," Judge Smith said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 23, 2021 15:32 UTC