Police dismiss MP's P influx claim

Masterton police have no evidence to back a claim by Wairarapa's National Party candidate John Hayes that an influx of pure methamphetamine, or P, came into the district during Golden Shears week in March.

Wairarapa Area Controller Inspector John Johnston, who has just arrived back from overseas and was away when the claim was published, said he could not recall anyone mentioning a huge amount of P coming to the region either at that time or since.

Mr Johnston said the importation of 30,000 doses Mr Hayes said he had been told about by a "reliable source" was of such magnitude that police would almost certainly get to hear about it.

He said he would expect Mr Hayes to phone police to give further details if he had any.

Mr Johnston said it could be that Mr Hayes had innocently been given wrong information.

Masterton Mayor Bob Francis said he likewise had heard nothing about an influx of drugs to the town.

He had taken a close interest in Golden Shears, as he does each year, and there was nothing to suggest there had been any link to drug dealing.

Mr Francis said he and Mr Johnston spoke about things affecting the town every week and there had been no mention of a P influx.

The reference by Mr Hayes to what he termed " 30,000 P tablets" was included in a press release on July 19. He said yesterday the thrust of the press release was to protect Wairarapa children from drugs.

Mr Hayes said he saw "no reason" why he should now talk to police on the 30,000 doses issue.

The National Party candidate has not named the person who told him about the P but said he didn't have the "slightest doubt" that his source is in touch with the authorities.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE (MASTERTON)