Manager convicted of manslaughter in meth case: reports

The High Court of Auckland has convicted Himatjit "Jimmy" Kahlon, a 41-year-old former manager at Fonterra, of manslaughter and possession of methamphetamine for supply following the death of 21-year-old Aiden Sagala.

The jury deliberated for only two hours before reaching its verdict, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Kahlon was accused of giving Sagala a slab of imported beer contaminated with a significant dose of concentrated liquid methamphetamine, which led to the young man's fatal overdose in March 2023. The former manager was acquitted of a separate charge concerning possession of cocaine for supply.

Prosecutors outlined that Kahlon was part of a conspiracy to smuggle 700 kilogrammes of liquid meth into New Zealand disguised as 28,800 cans of Honey Bear House Beer and 22,680 bottles of kombucha.

While the beverages contained legitimate beer and kombucha, they were not suitable for resale due to improper labelling. As a result, Kahlon distributed the contaminated beer among friends and colleagues, according to the report.

"It's plain he wanted to be seen as the fun boss," prosecutor Robin McCoubrey told jurors, emphasising that Kahlon had recklessly caused Sagala's death by distributing beer that he knew could contain illegal drugs.

Kahlon's defence

In defence, Emma Priest, Kahlon's lawyer, argued that her client was misled by a co-defendant, whose name remains suppressed. This individual had already pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges just before the trial began, according to the Herald report.

Priest contended that Kahlon did not know about the methamphetamine in the beer: "Mr. Kahlon's actions in giving away beers have resulted in the death of Aiden Sagala. No one is disputing the tragedy in this case."

Priest further maintained that if Kahlon had been aware of the dangers, it would not have made sense for him to distribute the beer or consume some himself the day after Sagala's overdose.

However, the prosecution insisted that Kahlon could not have been completely ignorant of the drug operation. McCoubrey pointed out that Kahlon, who managed 27 people at Fonterra, was not an innocent party.

According to McCoubrey, Kahlon had helped his co-defendant pour out beer and was in the presence of large quantities of crystalline substances.

"It's obvious that he knew what was going on," he said. "He wasn't just aware of what was happening – in reality, he was involved in every stage of the process."

Justice Kiri Tahana has set a sentencing date for February, the Herald reported. Both manslaughter and possession of methamphetamine for supply carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment.