Crimeline: Drugs, assaults, drink driving
Woman faces multiple drug charges
A 52-year-old Queenstown woman was arrested on multiple drugs charges after Police were called to a local address on a completely different matter around 2am on Saturday (22 March) where they came across ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, amphetamine and a cannabis pipe.
Constable Amanda Shute says upon arrival at the address on a separate matter Police noticed a cannabis pipe and cannabis remnants, prompting them to invoke a warrantless search for drugs. During the search they found 0.73grams of MDMA, 0.07 grams of methamphetamine and six LSD tabs.
The woman has been charged with procuring/possessing ecstasy, procuring/possessing LSD, and procuring/possessing methamphetamine and amphetamine. She appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday (24 March) and has been remanded on bail to reappear on 5 May.
Police say they will continue to target those who supply illicit drugs, which cause extreme harm and damage in communities. They’re committed to investigating both individuals and organised criminal groups that cause harm by distributing illicit drugs.
“However, we can’t do this alone, and we ask anyone with information about the supply of illicit drugs to contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz clicking ‘Make a Report’ or call 105,” a Police spokesperson says.
Information can also be reported to the local Police station, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Anyone seeking help is also encouraged to contact the Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.
Wafting cannabis at checkpoint nets driver
The “strong smell of cannabis’ wafting from a vehicle stopped at a routine roadside Police checkpoint in Hawthorne Drive at 12.15am yesterday (Wednesday, 26 March) allegedly netted a large glass bong, cannabis grinder and 5.13 grams of cannabis plant. Shute says an 18-year-old local male will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 7 April charged with possession of cannabis plant. A warrantless search was undertaken after checkpoint Police smelt the cannabis wafting from the vehicle.
Fist bump fuss
A 21-year-old Christchurch man has been arrested for assaulting another male on Camp Street just after 11pm on Saturday (22 March) and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 10 April. Shute says the victim, who received a swollen jaw and pain to the left side of his face, had walked past a group of males fist bumping them all except one. “That male followed the victim asking why they didn’t fist bump him,” she says. “He then punched the victim with a closed fist to the left side of his face before running away.”
Police target speedsters – Kiwi driver clocks 151kms per hour
With six road fatalities in a five-week period on Central Otago roads recently, Police are continuing to “vigorously target” speeding drivers throughout the region – a Kiwi driver allegedly clocking 151kms per hour near Cromwell on Monday (24 March).
Otago Lakes road policing manager Senior Sergeant Steve Watt says the man was charged with dangerous driving and had his vehicle impounded. The man has yet to appear in court, but Watt says speeding at that level can attract a fine of more than $2000 and three months in prison with a minimum of six months disqualification, depending on the circumstances.
Despite hammering the message home about the consequences, Police are still seeing a mix of speeding foreign and Kiwi drivers, he says. “We’re still getting a very large number of traffic complaints about drivers speeding, crossing the centre line, dangerously overtaking and driving too slow.”
The recent spate of road tragedies in the area showed that simple mistakes can lead to devastating consequences, Watt says. “We rely on people to concentrate on their driving, not on what’s going on in the periphery,” he says.
Speed is a major factor in road crashes and Watt says being familiar with your vehicle is important too, as well as making good decisions and exercising common sense.
“You’re running the gauntlet every day in your vehicle,” he says. “You might think you’re safe, but it’s the others on the roads.”
Drink driving:
27-year-old male, Lake Esplanade, blew 477mcg at 3.36am on 23 March. Appears Queenstown District Court - 4 April.
National Park hikers rescued
A person was airlifted by an Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter after an accident at picturesque Lake Wilson off the Routeburn Track in Mount Aspiring National Park around 7.30pm on Monday, 24 March.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson says the patient suffered moderate injuries and was flown to Lakes District Hospital.
Another patient, with minor injuries, was flown from Aspiring Hut in the park to Lakes District Hospital at around 8.30am after an accident on Sunday, 23 March.
