Sports star unlikely to face drug charge extradition

One of two sporting celebrities caught up in a major drugs bust is unlikely to be extradited to face charges in New Zealand.

A police source said the man lives overseas but was a small fish in the investigation and police did not plan to start extradition proceedings against him.

The man and another former sports star, both high-profile, household names in New Zealand, were named in court documents last month when six people appeared in court on 22 charges including supplying or conspiring to supply methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.

The two celebrities have not been charged and a court suppression order prevents their names being published.

The police source said four others, including the two celebrities, were likely to be charged.

The source said today the two were small fish in the big pond of drug deals.

One was due back in New Zealand at the end of next month.

The other had business interests in New Zealand but police would not extradite him.

"We will just keep him in the court documents and if necessary will lay an information and seek a warrant for his arrest if he fails to appear and he will get picked up at the airport," the source said.

Police were speaking to lawyers for both the men.

The suppression order was likely to continue on Thursday when the six already charged are due to make another appearance in Auckland District Court.

Angeline Barlow, media manager for south Auckland police, said police would not officially comment on the case because it was still before the courts.

- NZPA