Baby formula probe: Claims bank statements, computers sought

Baby formula off the shelves at the Countdown supermarket in Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. Photo / Stuart Munro

Anti-1080 activists claim police have been asking for bank statements and searching their computers for spelling mistakes, as well as taking fingerprints and DNA in the nationwide hunt after the 1080 baby formula threat.

The Greymouth Star reported earlier this week detectives were calling on known anti-1080 activists, including seeking access to their computer hard drives.

Anthony Broad, apparently from Dunedin, said on Facebook the police also wanted bank statements showing transactions for the period November 20 to 27.

He said that was "in order to look for evidence for or against one's presence at certain undisclosed locations relevant to the inquiry".

He also alleged police wanted to "connect a device to my computer which would automatically search the whole hard drive for certain sentences (including particular spelling mistakes apparently) that were in the (threatening) letters allegedly sent to Federated Farmers and Fonterra".

Westport man Peter Lusk said he was visited a couple of days ago, but was out and the police had not come back.

"The whole thing must be very annoying for the police because they must be aware it's all a jack up and they have the job of pretending to take it seriously."Mr Lusk said he believed the threat was a conspiracy to discredit the anti-poison movement.

Barrytown activist Emille Leaf said he was not asked for bank statements, but officers did check the "sentence structures" on his computer.

Police spokesman Grant Ogilvie said they would not discuss specific matters relating to the investigation.

"Most of those individuals we have approached as part of our inquiries have been quite willing to co-operate with police and we are grateful for their assistance," Mr Ogilvie said.