Killer Beez Gang Boss Sentenced

 

South Auckland Killer Beez gang boss Josh Masters will finally be sentenced in May, four years after his arrest on drug dealing and money laundering charges. The 33-year-old was arrested with 42 other members and associates of the Killer Beez and Tribesmen gangs in May 2008 after a police crackdown on drug dealing in South Auckland. He has been trying for the past year to vacate his guilty plea and go back to trial but has abandoned his efforts. In the High Court at Auckland yesterday, a fixture was set for a disputed facts hearing, after which he will be sentenced. Police seized several hundred thousand of dollars worth of methamphetamine and cannabis as well as stolen vehicles during raids on properties linked to the gangs. More than two years after his arrest, in September 2010 and on the first day of his trial, Masters finally admitted two charges of supplying methamphetamine, one of conspiring to sell it and one of money laundering. The kickboxer had initially faced 17 charges but 13 were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea. Until then he had denied any wrongdoing, even appearing on Campbell Live telling the nation he didn't touch drugs. "I give you my word, no drugs. I am not known for taking drugs, my family know that, my friends know that and now New Zealand knows that," he said at the time. Before sentencing in September 2011, Masters indicated he wanted to vacate his guilty plea. At the time, Crown prosecutor Bruce Northwood told the High Court that since Masters' initial arrest he'd had three different lawyers and a court-appointed lawyer to support him as he defended himself, all of whom he had parted ways with. "The Crown's view is he is toying with the system... The excuses offered are spurious." Northwood said Masters' claims that he wanted to progress the case were "at best doubtful and at worst dishonest". Justice Christopher Allen said yesterday the delays had become "untenable" and welcomed a resolution. Masters has spent so long in prison he may be eligible for parole soon after being sentenced.