Man faces charges after drug bust in resort

QUEENSTOWN

A 22YEAROLD who allegedly sold drugs in bars and nightclubs has been arrested in Queenstown, following a fourmonth investigation.

Drug and alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Chris Brooks, of Queenstown, said police executed a search warrant at a resort address on Thursday and seized ‘‘an amount’’ of drugs and cash.

He would not comment on the street value of the drugs, nor how much cash was seized by police.

❛ Drugs are farreaching — they affect

family harm, our schools and what we do

every day

Sgt Brooks said the investigation had been ongoing since July, when police became aware of allegations the man was targeting bars and nightclubs in Queenstown.

‘‘He was [allegedly] using other people’s businesses to run his own businesses.

‘‘I know these business owners and the financial risks that they put in [and then] people like this come along and try to piggyback on them . . . it’s bloody terrible.’’

The man, who lived and worked in the resort, faces charges of possession of class Acontrolled LSD for supply and offering to supply class Bcontrolled MDMA — both of which carry maximum a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment — and possession of class Ccontrolled cannabis for supply, which has an eightyear maximum sentence.

He appeared in the Alexandra District Court on Thursday and was remanded on bail, with strict conditions, until his next appearance in the Queenstown District Court on December 14.

Sgt Brooks said that arrest was not related to one where police executed in Queenstown last week.

That followed a twomonth investigation which resulted in the arrest of a 31yearold Lake Hawea man.

That man faces six charges, including possession and supply of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.

‘‘Drugs are farreaching — they affect family harm, our schools and what we do every day,’’ Sgt Brooks said.