A French national charged with smuggling 24kg of cocaine into Northland has been further remanded in custody to re-appear in August. The case of Alexander Steeve Yelengwe Yonkwa-Dingom, 27, was called this week in the Whangarei District Court and was put off to August 3 for callover. His appearance was excused. Yonkwa-Dingom is charged with possession for supply of a class A drug and with failing, without reasonable excuse, to assist a police constable exercising a search power under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. The cocaine, seized in a Customs-led sting in Paihia last December, was worth up to $10.8 million.
$21k winning ticket
A ticket sold in the Far North has won its holder more than $21,000 on Lotto Second Division in Wednesday night's draw. The ticket, sold at Awanui Junction Dairy, was among seven nationally that each won $21,129. Anyone who bought their ticket from the diary should write their name on the back and check it at any Lotto outlet, online at MyLotto.co.nz or through the Lotto NZ App.
Wheelchair stolen
Police have posted on Facebook urging thieves who stole an electric wheelchair from outside a Kamo home to "do the right thing" and return it. The wheelchair was stolen early Monday morning from Jasmine Fraser, who has cerebral palsy. Anyone with information should call Whangarei Police on (09) 430 4500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The theft of the vital equipment has left Fraser virtually unable to get around
Pest control popular
It was standing room only at the 2018 Northland pest control workshop held by Kiwi Coast and Northland Regional Council at Opuawhanga. Last week's workshop was attended by 120 people, representing more than 50 Northland community groups, hapu and organisations. It was a chance for 112 projects linked to Kiwi Coast to share knowledge and experience. In the past five years they collectively trapped 229,372 pests and reversed the decline of some threatened species and forests. The workshop was sponsored by Key Industries and the Department of Conservation community fund.