Name still suppressed

AUCKLAND: A prominent sportsman named in a criminal drug syndicate trial has asked the Supreme Court to consider his case.

The sportsman was a connected person in the trial of a trio of men convicted and jailed for importing methamphetamine from California in 2017.

At trial, the Crown said encrypted messages showed he was involved through transporting and changing currency.

Although the sportsman was the subject of police interest, authorities did not speak to him, did not execute a search warrant and have never charged him.

He has fought to keep his identity secret for close to two years but has failed to convince both the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Judgements from these courts have affirmed the public interest in knowing his identity while also saying any allegations against him are just that — allegations.

The Court of Appeal had granted the sportsman interim name suppression pending the application to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

That application was filed yesterday, which means name suppression will continue until further order of the court. — RNZ