Jailed man linked to celebrity drug ring

A businessman linked to the so-called celebrity drug ring has been jailed for 18 months for possession of Ecstasy for supply.

Michael John McKenzie, 51, was granted the right to apply for home detention at the sentencing by Justice Lester Chisholm in the High Court at Christchurch yesterday.

McKenzie, a Christchurch night club operator, met Auckland businessman John Waterworth - a key man in the drug ring - in July last year and paid $8000 for 250 tablets of Ecstasy.

Waterworth pleaded guilty in the High Court at Auckland last month to 16 counts of supplying cocaine, Ecstasy and methamphetamine. He is still to be sentenced.

Former All Black Marc Ellis and former New Zealand league player Brent Todd received minor drug convictions.

McKenzie's name had previously been suppressed.