Man fleeing police drops cash and drugs on way

A FLEEING man dropped wads of cash and drugs as he leapt across fences to escape arrest, police say.

Wellington police were still hunting yesterday for John Perry Morgan Henderson, 48, after he eluded arrest by armed police during a methamphetamine bust in Cannons Creek on Friday morning.

Two others were arrested in the early-morning raid, in which police seized $300,000 in cash, and more than $130,000 in crystal methamphetamine, cannabis leaf and resin. They also found a sheet of about 70 blotter tabs, suspected to be synthetic hallucinogen N-Bomb – also known as ‘‘fake acid" – which sells on the street for about $40 a tab.

When the armed offenders squad arrived at the house about 6am on Friday, they found Henderson in the backyard, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said.

He would not say whether Henderson was armed at that point.

‘‘He was challenged to surrender, he didn’t. He ran off through some neighbouring properties and he wasn’t able to be apprehended.’’

Dog handlers jumped fences after him in the chase, but ‘‘the dog track just stopped’’, Leitch said. Police believe that was because Henderson was picked up by a car. ‘‘Wads of cash’’ and drugs, thought to have been dropped as he fled, were found along the trail.

Leitch noted the methamphetamine appeared to be strong quality, judging by the appearance of the unusually long crystals. The home they raided was not thought to be a key supply house, but there were some suspected gang associations.

‘‘It’s a lot of drugs, and a lot of money,’’ he said. ‘‘We do think there was some dealing going on there, but it didn’t appear to be a tinny house or a supermarket set-up, I don’t think.’’

A Porirua man, 24, has been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis for supply. A Porirua woman, 20, has been charged with possession of cannabis for supply.

There is a warrant out for Henderson’s arrest. He is described as Maori, 1.82 metres tall, of medium build with short, dark hair.

He was believed to be hiding with associates in Cannons Creek, where he was well known, Leitch said. He estimated the raid prevented about $1 million of drugs being dealt in the area.

‘‘We are delighted to seize this large quantity of drugs and cash, and its seizure has significantly reduced the harm to our community.’’