Police in baby formula probe on West Coast

Baby formula off the shelves at the Countdown supermarket in Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Police investigating the 1080 baby formula threat spent hours on the West Coast yesterday collecting DNA samples, fingerprints and going through one activist's computer.

Anonymous letters sent to Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November said baby formula would be laced with 1080 if New Zealand did not stop using the poison for pest control by the end of March.

Police launched Operation Concord in response and three months ago, police interviewed anti-1080 activists throughout the country, including in Hokitika and South Westland.

Hari Hari anti-1080 activist Phil Paterson said up to four police officers spent hours at his house yesterday. He voluntarily let them trawl through his computer.

They were also collecting DNA samples and fingerprints, Mr Paterson said.

"They were good as gold. There were four of them here at one stage."

Fellow Hari Hari activist Danny Lane was also visited by two detectives. Police told him they had more than 100 suspects, he said.

Another activist, Emille Leaf, was interviewed simultaneously by police. Mr Leaf said he was "happy to assist them".

Police said inquiries continued to be made throughout New Zealand, with more than 120 people having been approached and interviewed.