in a bid to rebel against his strict Jehovah's Witness upbringing, (arrest)
by candidlynuts
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candidlynuts
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11017307%255E26462,00.html
Smuggler blames debt over drugs By Christine Caulfield
October 9, 2004A JOURNALIST with a heroin addiction said he smuggled 1.4kg of cocaine into Australia to settle a debt with his dealers.
Royal Turanga Eria Abbott, 51, a New Zealand citizen, had been abusing drugs for more than 30 years in a bid to rebel against his strict Jehovah's Witness upbringing, the County Court heard.His addiction worsened in 1993 after a serious car crash killed a close friend, and spiralled out of control when an eight-year relationship ended last year.
The Australian Associated Press reporter pleaded guilty to importing cocaine with a street value of up to $800,000.
He has been behind bars on remand since April 19, when he arrived at Melbourne airport from South Africa and was nabbed by Customs
The court heard he had concealed the drugs in a back brace under his clothes, after picking it up from a contact named "Johnny" at Johannesburg airport.
He initially told police he had been instructed to act as a courier to pay off a $4700 debt he owed a Vietnamese dealer, who had been feeding his $1000a-week heroin habit.
The court was told he agreed to help federal agents arrest the dealer, but tipped off his alleged accomplice in a late-night telephone call, saying "I'm in the cell. They're trying to get the f--ing people."
Abbott later admitted he was the mastermind and planned to sell the cocaine for $150,000.
He said he owed $20,000 to Johnny, a dangerous international dealer with connections to Columbian drug lords.
"I owed a lot more than I thought," Abbott said.
"It was very complicated and it was a real mess. He had somebody come and visit me sometimes and threaten me."
Defence lawyer Rob Stary said Abbott had been experimenting with drugs since he was 18 in defiance of his parents' religious beliefs and strict moral standards.
Despite abusing all manner of opiates, tranquillisers, stimulants and hallucinogens, he had functioned in the community and had been well-respected in his profession until his addiction got the better of him.
Abbott was now voluntarily undergoing drug treatment in custody.
Judge Joe Gullaci remanded Abbott in custody for sentencing next week.
(thats some long term rebellion!)
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Kenneson
"Royal Turanga Eria Abbott...had been abusing drugs for more than 30 years in a bid to rebel against his strict Jehovah's Witness upbringing, the County Court heard."
Now that's a mighty long excuse to abuse drugs. I hope he learns to take responsibility for his actions in drug rehab, rather than blame his past. He needs to get over it. 30 years is too LONG a time to rebel!
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blondie
Sounds like a typical addict, blaming everyone but himself for his addiction.
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BrendaCloutier
Unfortunately, I understand his thinking....
I blamed my 1st husband - who, when I married him was a good JW, albeit from a family rather looked down upon by his congregation. I soon found out why. His alcoholism was developing, and he also developed into a wife abuser, just like his (late) father.
Since I have alcoholism genetic propensity, I drank right along with him, and my alcoholism kicked in. When I was finally able to leave (after a couple rounds of russian roulette) I blamed him for my disease. It took another 8 years to own it myself and get treatment.
It's always the "easier softer way" to blame someone else. "The devil made me do it." But I learned when one finger points, there are three pointing back.
I hope this guy applies himself to the help he is getting.
Brenda