Also, "The Independent reported that Tangaraju had a prior arrest record in another drug use case, and that he was required to submit himself to regular urine tests. He had missed a test and was on his way to report to the police when he arrested."
Seems rather suspicious.
Nonetheless, the fact that he doesn't have a lawyer is extremely concerning from a human rights perspective.
I don't understand the logic here. Why not report it after the date? A rather strange number of coincidences... having a "prior arrest record in another drug use case" and not reporting his phone being stolen, only to be arrested for a drug event again.
Nevertheless, I would never cheat on my spouse, so I would not be in such a situation to begin with.
Regardless, it is possible that we are not really hearing his side of the story properly. He doesn't even have a lawyer, which is extremely concerning. Regardless of whether or not he is guilty, he deserves the best defense possible.
I imagine that some folks in NZ may not report to police a stolen phone out of general distrust of police, or a lack of belief that it would help anything.
Of course, if he knew he was going to be busted two weeks later then he should have but… haha