Moko Heeney was sentenced in the High Court in Gisborne on Wednesday. Photo / James Pocock
A Gisborne man who offered to supply methamphetamine 86 times has been sentenced to three years and five months’ jail for dealing the drug.
Moko Heeney appeared in the High Court in Gisborne for sentencing on Wednesday by audio-visual link.
Heeney had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition, conspiracy to supply meth, unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of offering to supply meth and two counts of possession of meth for supply.
The charges involved 167.05 grams of meth – 87g related to conspiracy to supply and the remaining 80.05g related to possession and offering for supply.
Heeney’s charges arose from an April 2024 police investigation, Operation ANEW, into the sale and supply of meth in the Gisborne district.
A summary of facts said police gathered evidence through intercepted phone calls and messages.
Between September 1, 2024, and February 4, 2025, Heeney offered to supply meth 34 times. The total amount was 15.5g, with a value of $3325.
Between February 20 and April 8, 2025, Heeney offered to supply meth 52 times – a total of 23.3g and a value of $4020.
Police found a .410-gauge shotgun and ammunition during a search of his Gisborne home. Heeney was arrested and taken into custody on April 8.
He was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.
Heeney’s lawyer, Heather Vaughn, said he had a meth addiction that stemmed from injuries from a car crash when he was young, when he developed a dependency on opioid-based painkillers.
Vaughn said Heeney had made efforts to better himself while in custody. He completed certifications in forestry and forklifting and was in the process of removing a gang-affiliated tattoo.
Heeney had also created artwork while in custody and sales proceeds went to charity.
At the time of sentencing, Heeney was in voluntary segregation.
High Court Justice Cathcart acknowledged his efforts towards self-improvement, but said his previous charges should be taken into account.
His previous offending was a “mirror” to his current charges.
The judge sentenced Heeney to three years and five months in jail.
The Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay region is ranked as the second-highest for meth consumption in the country.