Coc-Kroft given drug case all-clear

Lana Coc-Kroft

Television personality Lana Coc-Kroft has sought and received an assurance from police that she will not face charges in connection with the so-called celebrity drug ring.

The guarantee means she will be reinstated in the publicity roles she stood down from - with Healtheries and Starship hospital - while there was speculation that she was involved.

Former sports star and television personality Marc Ellis has been convicted of possessing the class B drug Ecstasy in the case. He was fined $300.

Former rugby league star Brent Todd was also named in court documents but has denied any involvement. He has not been arrested, although police say he may face charges when he returns to New Zealand.

The Herald understands Coc-Kroft, who until last night had not spoken publicly about the case, had been frustrated with speculation that she was involved.

That speculation prompted the Starship Foundation to suspend promotions with her and supplements company Healtheries to withdraw a TV, radio and newspaper advertising campaign featuring her.

But last night she told the Herald she had met police and was told she would not be charged.

"A number of weeks ago the police contacted me and wanted to talk about any contacts I'd had with people involved in their investigations. I subsequently met the police ... they made it clear to me that they weren't planning on charging me with anything in relation to their investigation," she said.

"I also met the police today [yesterday] to discuss the facts outlined in this statement."

She said she felt compelled to release a statement after "so much speculation and rumours".

Police would not confirm their meeting with Coc-Kroft and refused to comment on anything to do with the case.

Last night Healtheries business manager Sara Rainger said the company would try to resurrect the advertising campaign featuring Coc-Kroft.

"We will be reviewing our position as a result of the statement. We hope to keep [the campaign] going as we intended, but it will depend on the timeliness of getting it back into place.

"We were happy a statement has been made and the speculation has been settled, and as far as we're concerned it's business as usual."

She said the campaign was withdrawn in the light of Coc-Kroft's request to keep a low profile and she would now discuss with Coc-Kroft whether that remained her wish.

Starship Foundation chief executive Andrew Young said Coc-Kroft would be welcomed back to her role with Starship as soon as possible.

The foundation had never frozen her out and the decision for her to step aside from her role until the rumours blew over was amicable.

"She was never offside. It was just while there were rumours and speculation we thought it was best for everyone's interests for her to step down until there was a clarification. It has always been friendly."

He said Coc-Kroft's statement provided that clarity. "We are having coffee with Lana in the next few days to discuss her next job. Lana has always been totally supportive of Starship and it is not to discuss whether she will return, but what projects she can get involved in."

- Additional reporting Derek Cheng, Claire Trevett