Police analyse calls, texts after drug raids

File photo / Greg Bowker

Police are analysing 20,000 intercepted phone calls and text messages as part of their Operation Granite swoop on clandestine laboratories allegedly used for making the drug P.

The figure was referred to as those arrested appeared in Christchurch District Court today, and were further remanded to July 12 by Judge Jane Farish, Christchurch Court News website reported.

She has given the police until that date to make final decisions on what charges will be laid against each accused, and she has given them 10 days to write a summary of facts so that defence lawyers can decide how to proceed.

Seven accused were due for remands today and all were being sent to the same date without plea.

Charges range from permitting premises to be used for manufacture of the class A drug to conspiracy to manufacture it, and possession of equipment and chemicals for drug production.

One of them now faces an additional charge of illegal possession of three firearms, including a pistol. The charge was laid for his court appearance today.

Adam John Miles, a 38-year-old labourer from Lyttelton, is charged with unlawful possession of a Parker Hale .270 calibre rifle, a Mossberg .270 calibre rifle, and a Smith and Wesson revolver.

He is also charged with possession of chemicals for making the drug, and manufacturing the class A drug methamphetamine.

Defence counsel Rupert Glover told the court that an appeal to the High Court would be heard on July 2 over the decision to keep Miles in custody.

Gemma Louise Aitken, a 28-year-old mother who has been working as a real estate agent, was further remanded in custody to July 12 on a charge of conspiracy to manufacture the drug and knowingly permitting premises to be used for that purpose.

But Judge Farish told her the case could be called earlier for another bail application if a suitable address could be found for her to stay at.

Ronjun Situ, a 34-year-old Woolston man charged with conspiracy to manufacture, was remanded on bail to the same date without plea.

Alexander Robert Troy Black, a 27-year-old unemployed man from central Christchurch, was remanded in custody but defence counsel Tony Garrett told the court an appeal for bail in the High Court was under way.

Black faces charges of conspiracy to manufacture the drug and possession of methamphetamine.

Other accused were to appear later in the day. A total of 11 people were arrested as part of Operation Granite which ended with police swoops on homes in Christchurch, Ashburton, and Rangiora on June 9.

- NZPA