Hunt for fleeing drug couple heads south

Hong Quin Huang (left) and Jian Zhong Xie

The Chinese couple being sought by police on drug-related charges may be hiding in the Bay of Plenty.

Jian Zhong Xie and his wife, Hong Quin Huang, are believed to be planning their escape to China after failing to appear in court on charges of importing enough drugs to make up to $15 million worth of methamphetamine.

Yesterday, the Herald ran a front-page story about the couple and a plea from police for information on their whereabouts. Since then, police have had about 20 calls with new information, including sightings which confirm they are still in the country.

Detective Sergeant Mark Osbourne said the couple were seen at McDonald's in Whakatane at 7pm on Wednesday. They appeared to be having a "heated discussion", said a customer who contacted police yesterday.

Another diner had earlier contacted police and said she saw Huang sitting by herself in the restaurant. The woman later saw her sitting in a silver car with a man and witnessed him strike her.

Police also received a sighting of Huang, 34, at 2.30pm on State Highway 2 near Thames when she stopped to ask for directions to Tauranga.

Police are appealing for the public - especially moteliers and petrol station attendants - to watch out for the couple and report any sightings.

Detective Sheree Gray said Huang and Xie were probably paying for items with cash as their bank accounts were emptied before they failed to appear in court and their credit cards had not been used since.

Border authorities have been alerted that the couple might try to fly out of the country or escape on a container ship using false passports.

The couple were arrested in December after a package containing false credit cards was intercepted entering the country.

The package was traced to them and during a search police discovered further cards and a large amount of pseudoephedrine products under their Mt Albert home.

Huang did not show up at bail hearing in Auckland last Wednesday.

Last month, Xie vanished after allegedly being caught with two associates importing more pseudoephedrine into the country.

Police say the couple's two young children were sent back to China before their parents fled.

* Anyone with information can contact Detective Sheree Gray on (09) 259- 1049 or Detective Sergeant Mark Osbourne on (09) 259-0719.