Accused man cleared of prison drug ring charges

Charges against a man accused of helping inmates run a multimillion-dollar drug ring from inside prison have been thrown out by a judge.

Police Operation Spider Web evidence against 16 accused people was heard in a two-week depositions hearing at the North Shore District Court, which is expected to end next week.

Judge David McNaughton threw out the methamphetamine and LSD charges against Bruce Andrews, who was accused of organising cellphones, collecting payments and passing on orders from senior members of the syndicate.

LSD charges against Robert Johns have also been dismissed by Judge McNaughton.

Police say a network of prisoners ran a methamphetamine importing and manufacturing ring from the Auckland Prison maximum-security wing at Paremoremo, using contraband cellphones to organise imports of cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine, used to make P.

Hidden inside toothpaste, chocolates, cakes, shoes and clothes, the class-C drug was allegedly sent from China to the homes of associates. It was then turned into methamphetamine. Enough pseudoephedrine to make P worth $5 million was seized in police raids.

The 16 defendants have denied the charges. All but three of those charged with methamphetamine charges have been committed for trial.

Inmates Arthur Taylor and Ernest Tofaeono have not conceded a prima facie case, nor has Tai Bong Rhee, who is accused of organising the pseudoephedrine supply from China.

Judge McNaughton will decide next week whether the trio will stand trial.

Police allege Taylor was a leading figure in the syndicate, as were Wanzhe Gui and senior King Cobras member Rocky Pulete. Gui was believed to have made more than $1 million profit, according to a conversation overheard by police.