Drug raid jinxes wedding

A former police officer missed his wedding because he was being held in custody on drugs charges.

Anthony Brooks, 38, worked as a police officer for around eight years but was employed as a marketing manager when police searched his Papamoa home this year. They found methamphetamine, BZP and cannabis, as well as a stolen laptop computer.

Brooks spent four days in custody, having been denied bail on his first court appearance on drug supply allegations, which were later withdrawn. He was sentenced to 110 hours' community work when he appeared before Judge Thomas Ingram in Tauranga District Court on Friday.

Brooks earlier pleaded guilty to cultivation and possession of cannabis, receiving stolen property, possession of BZP, possession of methamphetamine and of pipes for consuming methamphetamine. Two other drug supply charges, and one of blackmail, were withdrawn last month.

Brooks and his fiancee had to cancel their wedding day as result of his custodial remand. They also forfeited $8000 of deposits and Brooks lost his job.

- BOP TIMES