‘Sad day’ as drug smuggling cop sentenced

A west Auckland police officer who smuggled cannabis, tobacco and other items to prisoners was today sentenced to community work.  Lotovale Perese, who was a police officer for 13 years, gave items to 16 prisoners in Waitakere District Court holding cells on 77 occasions over a six-month period earlier this year.  Constable Perese, 42, appeared before the very court he was employed to police.  “It’s a sad day indeed to see you in the dock,” Judge David Wilson told him.  Perese was a police escort at Waitakere District Court for over two years when he started giving cannabis and other contraband to prisoners.  This included cigarettes, cigarette papers, lighters, cellphone, a SIM card and bottles of tattoo ink, Crown Prosecutor Lepeka Tatila said.