Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jul 2005
Source: Wairarapa Times-Age (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Wairarapa Times-Age Company Limited
Contact:  http://times-age.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3292
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth