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Cannabis accused awaits his day in court

Wednesday 1 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National

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Cannabis accused awaits his day in court
PHOTO: ISTOCK

Rarotonga businessman Christopher Denny is still awaiting evidence as he faces charges of possessing cannabis and a utensil.

Denny appeared for a call over in the High Court at Avarua on Friday where defence lawyer Mark Short said he had been advised by the CIB (Criminal Investigation Bureau) that he would be receiving copies of text messages, but had not yet received them.

Short sought an adjournment and asked the matter be heard again on December 15.  

When Denny appeared in court on August 1, Chief Justice Patrick Keane said the Crown would be relying on text messages and it was being analysed by an expert from New Zealand.

Denny was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis leaves on February 16 and appeared in the Criminal Court on February 17.

At the time, he was held in custody overnight and Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams granted Denny bail with conditions that he surrender his passport and not leave the Cook Islands without permission of the High Court.

Denny ceased his operation Cook Islands Security (CIS) following his arrest.

He had ceased the operation, established in 2018, in December last year after seeing a downturn in his business services to accommodation owners.

When Denny returned to Rarotonga around 2018, he established the security company, as he had the intention to settle in Rarotonga.

He now operates a café in Muri.

He has been outspoken over the years, often raising concerns about criminal activity on the island.