Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

COURT LIFTS NAME SUPRESSION IN DRUG RING CASE

A mechanic charged with supplying Ecstasy to the alleged ringleader in
a so-called white-collar drug ring can be identified.

Adamu Shazizi Awahdi, 30, is charged with possession of Ecstasy for
supply and supplying Ecstasy to company director John Francis Waterworth.

Awahdi is also charged jointly with conspiracy to supply
Ecstasy.

Name suppression for Awahdi and another accused, Marcus Worrall, was
lifted yesterday.

Worrall, 32, appeared in court in Queenstown last week charged with
buying Ecstasy and conspiring to supply Ecstasy.

Restaurant manager Philip James Clark, 31, and businessman Elliot John
Worrall, 31, also face charges in connection to the alleged ring.

A 51-year-old property developer charged with conspiracy to supply
Ecstasy and a 39-year-old self-employed businessman have continued
name suppression.

The businessman is charged with conspiring to supply cocaine and
supplying Ecstasy.

His lawyer, Steve Bonnar, yesterday told the Auckland District Court
that his client was not a celebrity and did not have a high profile.

He said publicity if the man was identified would affect his
reputation, business and family. Mr Bonnar said police had not
provided full details of their case, including transcripts of recorded
phone conversations, and lifting suppression would prejudice his
client's defence.

Judge Barbara Morris was not satisfied the man's personal
circumstances outweighed the right to open justice but said there was
a risk to his defence.

She was told the police case would be made available to the defence
within a week, so she allowed continued suppression until next month.

The arrests followed a police electronic surveillance operation
codenamed Aqua.

Two sports celebrities are named in charges faced by Waterworth, a
55-year-old company director who police allege to be the ringleader.

One of the stars is alleged to have bought Ecstasy. The other is
allegedly a joint offender with Waterworth in supplying cocaine and
cannabis.

The two men are overseas and have suppression until they are charged
and appear in court.

Multimillionaire property developer David Stewart Henderson has
admitted attempting to buy cocaine. He has applied for a discharge
without conviction and a decision will be issued next week.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin