Crimeline: Police raid suspected drug dealers
Queenstown Police seized more illicit drugs after targeting “alleged local drug suppliers” in raids earlier this week amid what they say has been an increase in drug use.
Detective Nicola Clark says Police seized quantities of cash, brown crystal (heroin), cannabis and capsules during search warrants executed on Monday and Tuesday.
A firearms licence holder also had their licence suspended and 11 firearms have been seized.
“Leading into events such as Snow Machine in town this week, Police have identified an increase in drug use, which has led to these warrants being executed,” Clark says.
Clark says no charges have been laid at this time, however, enquiries are continuing.
This week’s raids follow on from search warrants executed in recent weeks, both in Queenstown and Dunedin, during which Police seized cash, a “significant quantity’ of MDMA, cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine and LSD, along with more than $50,000 cash and illegal firearms.
Eight people, aged between 25 and 35, across both centres face a raft of charges as a result. Cash, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and LSD were all seized in the Queenstown area.
Two people were arrested locally as a result of those 10 August raids and are set to appear in the Queenstown District Court next month in relation to the offending, Clark says.
Police are urging the public to dob in drug dealers before they cause any more harm.
“Our community plays a big part in helping us target those in the distribution of illicit substances that cause harm in our community, and we ask members of the public who know those supplying these drugs to contact us on 105,” she says.
Information can also be reported to your local Police station, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
"We know the risk posed by taking drugs, and more often than not, people don't understand what they're ingesting," she says.
"There are many examples of people needing medical treatment after consuming a substance that wasn't what they expected; we want our partygoers to enjoy themselves and get home safely."
Police also encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help though the Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.
Meanwhile, Wakatipu High School has been continuing to be proactive in its ongoing efforts to keep the school free from drugs. Principal Oded Nathan says the school brought a drug detective dog through the school last week “to ensure we are doing what we can to keep the school free from drugs”. Parents were informed in the weekly newsletter.
“While every situation is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, any students who are under the influence of drugs (or alcohol) and/or bring drugs or drug paraphernalia to school at any time put themselves, and possibly others, at risk of not being able to attend Wakatipu High School,” Nathan says.
The school takes these matters “very seriously”, including engaging with the Police, if required. He’s urging parents to make sure they “have a conversation” with their student to ensure they understand the potential implications of their actions.
Some early over-indulgence
Police have been gearing up for the influx of visitors, particularly Australians, arriving in town for the start of Snow Machine today (September 5). They had an early taster of trouble downtown on Tuesday night when ambulance staff were called to attend to two heavily intoxicated people.
Senior Sergeant John Fookes says there were already a large number of people in town that night, including many Australians who’d arrived in Queenstown for the event. Intoxication levels were high, and Police assisted St John’s Ambulance crews attending two separate incidents, when they were called to provide attention to people who’d heavily over-indulged.
A St John’s spokesman says they were called to incidents just before midnight and just after 1am. In both cases the patients were assessed at the scene and didn’t require further attention.
Head-butting hero picks wrong fight
A 25-year-old man was headbutted on Earl Street after a duo had been play-fighting when a stranger intervened and allegedly assaulted one of them on Monday evening, September 1. Fortunately, the victim didn’t sustain any significant injuries. The offender was unknown.
Late night Cow Lane assault
A 32-year-old Australian man was arrested for allegedly punching another male several times to the head in Cow Lane at 2.30am on Friday, August 30. He appeared in the Queenstown District Court and was fined $1000.
Winter Pride alleged flag offenders found
The Winter Pride missing flag saga has been solved, but maybe not with the outcome that the event’s organisers would have hoped for. The offenders who allegedly removed the flags from downtown Queenstown have been identified but had returned to Australia before they were found, Fookes says. “There is no suggestion that there was anything sinister behind the theft,” he says. “A member from here is trying to communicate with them at present.”
Event organisers say about 29 flags were removed from poles downtown ahead of the recent festival, which were likely to cost around $12,000 to replace. Police released CCTV footage of four people, one draped in a rainbow flag and another appearing to have a flag in their pocket.
Airbnb guest breaks in
An Airbnb guest at Shotover Country, who’d arrived home without his keys, tried to break in using a pot plant and a rock at 12.45am on Tuesday, September 2, getting himself arrested for intentional damage.
Runaway driver
A driver scarpered before Police arrived after a vehicle hit multiple parked vehicles on Spur Ridge Rise at Hanley’s Farm at 8.30pm on Tuesday, September 3. Fookes says the driver wasn’t present when Police arrived, but strong lines of inquiry are being followed.
