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Robyn Edie / Stuff
An Invercargill couple pleaded not guilty to the charge of producing cannabis oil in the suburb of Rockdale.
An Invercargill couple, who were allegedly producing cannabis oil before an explosion at their home, pleaded not guilty to one charge in connection with the incident.
Rebecca Bower, 27, and Samuel Just, 28, appeared in Invercargill District Court Tuesday, jointly charged with producing cannabis oil in Invercargill on September 9.
Cannabis oil is a class B controlled drug and its production carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
The couple stood side by side when called to court, but had separate attorneys and both attorneys pleaded not guilty on behalf of their client.
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They both chose trial by jury.
Bower and Just were expected to reappear in court for a case review hearing on November 23.
The charge relates to an incident on September 9, where emergency services were called to a home in the Invercargill suburb of Rockdale around 1.30 p.m. after neighbors heard and felt an explosion.
Kavinda Herath / Things
The Invercargill home where emergency services were called on reports of an explosion on 9 September.
The house belongs to Kainga Ora (formerly New Zealand Housing).
The couple were admitted to Dunedin Hospital for treatment related to injuries caused by the blast.
