Deaths of Pukehina couple referred to coroner

The scene where two bodies were found in Pukehina. Photo / APNZ

The deaths of the Pukehina couple found dead in their home have been referred to the coroner.

Scott Crawford Meikle, 43, and Gail Marie Almond, 41, were found dead on Sunday afternoon at their rural home near Pukehina, about 20km east of Te Puke.

Detective Inspector Mark Loper said police have finished their scene examination and a blessing was held at the property last night.

He said post-mortem examinations of the bodies were held in Auckland yesterday but the results of, including the cause of death, will not be released.

"Our investigation and the post-mortem results confirm that a third person was not involved in the deaths, and it is now for the Coroner to rule on the cause of death and the circumstances leading up to the deaths."

Mr Loper said he would not comment further.

Yesterday the Bay of Plenty Times revealed that the couple were once part of a major drug syndicate involving cannabis worth nearly $1 million.

The pair were part of a major drugs trial nearly 11 years ago.

The case involved a covert police surveillance operation at Oponae in the Waioeka Gorge, which uncovered cannabis plants conservatively estimated to be worth more than $800,000 and 11.67kg of dried cannabis material valued at more than $70,000.

Gail Almond and Scott Meikle went to trial with four others but during the hearing pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and having plants for the purpose of sale in their possession.