Long delays for methdealing case

A group of people charged with dealing methamphetamine in February are still waiting for evidence from police.

Four men and three women were charged after Operation Book which police said uncovered a chain of methamphetamine dealers in Marlborough.

The cases have been repeatedly remanded as police have taken months to disclose evidence to both Crown and defence lawyers.

The group was remanded again at the Blenheim District Court on Monday, with several lawyers expressing their concern.

Bryony Millar, representing the Crown, said they only received all the evidence this month and would need some time to analyse a large amount of text messages.

The analysis might result in some charges being changed, she said.

She asked for the case to be remanded to November.

Defence lawyer Rob Harrison said the disclosure of evidence had been delayed because the police were ‘‘swamped’’.

‘‘I’m not being critical of the police, but they are hemorrhaging senior staff, especially staff involved in this case.’’

Judge Bill Hastings said he was also concerned about how slowly the case was progressing.

Talaena Angelique Cording, Sam William Jane, and Shyloe Jennifer Leslie were remanded on bail to November 16. James Panapa Hapakuku, Stuart Andrew McNicholl and Dallas Edward Oran Shave were remanded to the same date in custody. Their charges included illegal possession of firearms and burglary.

Sydney Page Hammond was charged with supplying methamphetamine, but police withdrew the charge on Monday.

Shave’s lawyer Emma Riddell said her client, McNicholl and Hapakuku would have been in custody for nine months by the time they reappeared.