KEY POINTS:
The leading gang figure who got a bail-for-medals deal has also been promised a cut to any future jail time.
Daniel William Crichton was granted bail while facing serious drugs charges after returning one set of the war medals stolen from the military museum in Waiouru.
Police correspondence seen by the Weekend Herald shows Crichton was told there was "no doubt" he could expect further leniency if he lived up to his word and got the thieves to return the rest of the 96 medals.
"Should Mr Crichton be successful or largely successful ... then he will no doubt be the recipient of further consideration from the courts in the event of his conviction and subsequent sentencing," wrote Detective Inspector Bruce Good.
Crichton was bailed on January 21 after arranging the return of the set containing a George Cross as "a sign of good faith".
The rest of the medals were returned four weeks later.
Crichton, a former Black Power member now linked to the Head Hunters gang, had been in prison awaiting trial on charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The correspondence also shows Crichton was freed on bail before the High Court trial in June despite not meeting the initial conditions police set down of returning at least one of the nine stolen Victoria Crosses.
Mr Good wrote that he was concerned that once bailed Crichton would not be able to get the medals back.
Crichton had been offering the George Cross, but Mr Good said Crichton had to return at least one Victoria Cross.
Legal and criminal sources have told the Weekend Herald Crichton has exaggerated his role in brokering the medals deal, and was never able to get any more than the George Cross, having paid the thieves for it.
Mr Good is a part of Auckland Metro Crime and Operations Support which oversees major drug investigations as part of its operations.
An Amcos spokeswoman declined to comment on the correspondence.
