Meth charges added

A Northland man in custody for allegedly shooting at a police officer has now also been charged with making methamphetamine. The 31-year-old, who is already facing charges relating to an alleged kidnapping in Paihia, made his first appearance in the Kaikohe District Court on April 20 on charges of manufacturing meth and possessing precursor materials for making the class A drug. He is due back in court by audio-visual link on May 4. The man is also jointly charged with Cayne Brown-Martin, 22, and Billy-Joe Witehira, 35, with kidnapping, unlawful possession of a pistol and unlawful possession of a shotgun in relation to an incident at the Paihia ASB on November 30.