New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Carlos FERREIRA-SAMPAIO

Hearing: 4 July 2024

At Otago Corrections Facility via MS TEAMS

Members of the Board:

Mr Neville Trendle – Panel Convenor

Mr Christopher King

Dr Greg Coyle

Counsel: Mr H Smith

In Attendance: [withheld] - Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Carlos Ferreria‑Sampaio is making his first appearance before the Board on a sentence of five years two months imprisonment for attempted possession of cocaine for the purpose of supply.  He became eligible for parole on 9 June 2024 after having spent 598 days on remand.  His statutory release date is 18 November 2027.
2. Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio was a significant participant in a major conspiracy that appears to have been formed in Portugal to import cocaine into Australia and New Zealand.  At the behest of the people who were higher up in the organisation he travelled to Australia to recover the drugs from a specified part of the ship that was bringing the drugs into the South Pacific.  That part of the operation failed and he came to New Zealand to direct a second attempt at the recovery of the cocaine.  The police in New Zealand became aware of the conspiracy and Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio’s role and he was duly apprehended along with a co‑offender.
3. Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio had no previous connection with New Zealand.  He is the subject of a deportation order and when he leaves prison he will be deported.
4. Mr Smith appeared as counsel and made written and oral submissions in support of his release on parole and his deportation.  He referred to his minimal connection with and risk so far as New Zealand was concerned.  He referred to a number of background issues relating to allegations and previous offending by Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio in Portugal.  He also emphasised the strong support available to him on his return to Portugal and Spain where he had family connections and employment.  Although he was waitlisted to participate in the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme, counsel submitted it was unnecessary to mitigate Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio’s risk of re‑offending.
5. The Board explored Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio’s connection with the significant drug conspiracy to import a large amount of cocaine into New Zealand.  [withheld].
6. [withheld].
7. The Board has explored matters relating to risk as best we can.  We are quite satisfied that a release on parole and deportation would not impugn the safety of the community in New Zealand.  The authorities in Portugal and Spain are aware of his circumstances and will be in a position to adequately address any safety concerns upon his return to the community there.  So far as the Board is concerned, he has strong support, a place to return to and employment opportunities.
8. Having regard to the matters we have referred to we are satisfied that Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio’s release will not pose an undue risk to community safety in New Zealand or Portugal.  Accordingly, we direct his release on parole on 2 September 2024 for deportation.  He will be subject to standard and special conditions until his statutory release date.  To the extent that the standard conditions are incompatible with the two special conditions we impose, they are suspended.
9. We have set his release date some eight weeks out to facilitate appropriate travel and immigration arrangements.  Should the release date require amendment in light of events, the Board’s hearing manager should be advised and this panel of the Board will consider the matter on the papers.
10. Upon release from prison Mr Ferreria‑Sampaio’s special conditions are as follows:

(1) To be released into the custody of the New Zealand Immigration authorities, or to the New Zealand Police, for deportation from New Zealand.

(2) Not to return to New Zealand.