A drunk 14-year-old boy spent the night in the care of the Greymouth police after they found him in a "very intoxicated" state in Cobden.
Sergeant Brent Cook said police were alerted by a concerned member of the public. Officers caught up with the "extremely drunk" boy in Bright St.
"If we find out who supplied the lad with the alcohol, they will be prosecuted," Mr Cook said.
The youngster was still at the police station this morning and would be returned to his parents once he had sobered up.
Mr Cook said they only kept people in the cells for detoxification when they were highly intoxicated, "like this boy was". Parents and caregivers needed to know where their children were at all times to avoid this happening.
