Himatjit Kahlon has been found guilty of manslaughter over the death of 21-year-old Aiden Sagala in March 2023.
Kahlon, 41, gave Honey Bear beers to Sagala, who he knew through work. Sagala died after innocently drinking from one of the cans on March 2 last year. It contained liquid methamphetamine.
Sagala was hospitalised after having the drink – his health deteriorated and he died of multiple organ failure on March 7, with an “off the charts” level of meth in his system.
Kahlon had pleaded not guilty to one charge of manslaughter, one charge of possessing meth for supply, and one charge of possessing cocaine for supply.
As well as being found guilty on the manslaughter charge, he was found guilty of possessing meth for supply and not guilty on the cocaine supply charge by the jury at Auckland High Court.
Sagala’s family hugged and cried quietly in the court. They were wearing t-shirts in remembrance.
His father Ma’a Sagala told 1News outside the High Court that the verdict had “relieved the pressure and stress on my family”.
He thanked the Crown prosecutors and police team, saying they had done a “marvellous job”.
His mother Lila Sagala said it was hard to explain her grief and that Aiden was a “good kid”.
She also said she forgave Kahlon.
Aiden Sagala, 21, died in March 2023 after innocently drinking a can of beer that contained liquid methamphetamine that was given to him by his workmate. (Source: 1News)
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said he was pleased for the family.
“The Crown have worked hard to prepare for this and, obviously, we’re delighted with the result.
“It’s obviously been an incredibly difficult time for the family and there was an emotive scene after the verdict.”
He said the family has been “outstanding” throughout the Court proceedings.
The Crown’s case
Crown prosecutor Pip McNabb alleged that Kahlon was involved in a Manukau warehouse which had received 700kg of methamphetamine, some in liquid form in beer cans.
Kahlon had a legal responsibility to ensure no one was harmed by that dangerous substance, the Crown said, arguing he “did not take reasonable care or precaution”.
The court has heard there was about 700kg of meth in the property. (Source: 1News)
Police also found just over 2kg of cocaine in the unit, McNabb added.
As well as cans containing meth, there were legitimate beers in the warehouse, the Crown said.
Those actual beers were “worthless” as they couldn’t be sold in New Zealand, McNabb said – so Kahlon gave them away to workmates, including Sagala.
Another man linked to the unit, who has name suppression, pleaded guilty to a number of drug charges.
The defence
Defence lawyer Emma Priest said her client was trusting and had been taken advantage of by his friend, the man who has name suppression.
“He had no idea, no knowledge that there were drugs in that can.”
A court has been shown video of police carrying out a “squeeze test” on cans of Honey Bear beer, with those found to be soft de-pressurised and likely containing meth. (Source: Supplied)
In a police interview shown to the court, Kahlon said his friend “fooled” him.
“I didn’t know this was meth, seriously.”
Kahlon and the other man would drink together at the warehouse – but Kahlon said he thought the other man was making “solutions”.
He said he thought it must have something to do with cocktails.
“I trusted him blindly,” Kahlon said.
Kahlon will be sentenced on February 11.
