Two more arrests in celebrity drugs case

Two more people have been charged by police investigating a white-collar drug ring involving a number of celebrities.

A 50-year-old Christchurch businessman, who has interim name suppression, and beneficiary Wayne Jeffery Beard, 35, also of Christchurch, were arrested last week.

The businessman is charged with possession of Ecstasy for supply and conspiracy to supply Ecstasy.

He is due to re-appear in court today.

Beard also faces charges of possession of Ecstasy and conspiracy to supply Ecstasy. He will re-appear in court next week.

Police said the businessman travelled to Auckland in July to purchase a large quantity of Ecstasy tablets.

He is alleged to have said there was a "large market" for the drug in the South Island and he could supply 500 tablets a week to other people.

The man told police he had not been supplied with any Ecstasy.

Beard is accused of asking an Auckland man about cocaine during a phone conversation in June. He was told that none was available.

Police said the man was offered Ecstasy tablets for $42 each and told the supplier there was a shortage of drugs in the South Island.

Beard is said to have flown to Auckland to pick up 200 tablets with a street value of between $12,000 and $18,000.

It is alleged he was in the middle of another deal when police terminated a surveillance operation and arrested a number of people.

Among those charged in connection with the ring are Auckland property developer David Henderson and television personality Marc Ellis.

Henderson pleaded guilty to attempting to buy cocaine and was convicted and given a suspended sentence.

Ellis was fined $300 plus costs of $130 after admitting he bought Ecstasy.

Police have yet to interview former league star Brent Todd over his alleged connection to the ring.

Todd, who lives in Australia, has denied any involvement.