Man in Pāpāmoa faces court after found with 21 controlled substances for gym recovery

In a Tauranga District Court hearing, a man from Pāpāmoa, aged in his late 30s, was found to possess 21 distinct controlled drug products, ranging from performance-enhancing steroids to erectile dysfunction and female infertility medicines. He asserted the substances were combined to speed recovery after “hard” gym sessions and entered a guilty plea for breaching the Medicines Act 1981. Judge Jo Rielly probed defence lawyer Rita Nabney on whether police accepted the personal-use explanation, noting the extensive list of drugs.

Prosecutor Tina Smallman said sentencing details and any cash forfeiture—potentially involving cash in the home’s safe—require further preparation. Nabney sought interim name suppression to protect the man’s business interests, which the judge granted pending a permanent order before the February sentencing. The matter was adjourned to allow authorities to finalize their submissions.