August 05, 2011

Two months set aside for drugs conspiracy trial

By David Clarkson at the Air Force Museum, Wigram

More than two months is being set aside for the High Court trial of up to 14 people arrested as part of the police?s Operation Granite investigation that allegedly busted a methamphetamine ring.

The trial will not take place until next year and the likely venue was not discussed at a pre-trial call-over before Justice Lester Chisholm in Christchurch today.

Some other High Court trials are being transferred out of Christchurch to Dunedin and Wellington this year because of earthquake disruption.

Twelve people are now listed on the indictment for the High Court trial, but the crown is seeking to add two more.

The trial arises from a long-running surveillance and interception operation that resulted in a series of raids on June 9 last year on homes in Christchurch, Ashburton, and Rangiora.

About 160 police officers were involved in the investigation into the alleged manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.

Canterbury police said they raided three P-labs in separate addresses at 6am that day and found cash, a firearm, and chemicals related to drug manufacture.

Seven people were immediately arrested and brought before the court and further arrests continued for some time.

Members of the group faced charges of conspiracy to manufacture the drug P, possession of equipment for drug-making, possession of the drug, allowing premises to be used for manufacture, and money laundering.

The accused did not need to be present at today?s hearing, but had their lawyers in court to discuss issues surround the big trial which will involved crown allegations of two separate drug conspiracies.

Justice Chisholm set a deadline of October 13 for defence objections to be filed, ahead of the next High Court call-over a day later.

The venue for that call-over has not yet been decided. Today?s session was held in the lecture theatre at the Air Force Museum at Wigram.