Brent Todd named in drug inquiry case

Brent Todd

Sporting celebrity and former Kiwi league star Brent Todd has been named as one of the people linked to an inquiry into white-collar drug ring which police said they broke last month.

Todd is still in Australia and is yet to be charged with any offences but a suppression order preventing publication of his name was lifted in Auckland District court today.

His lawyer, John Billington, QC, submitted a memorandum to the court saying that he no longer sought interim suppression of his name.

"Mr Todd wants it known that he has not bought, sold or supplied prohibited drugs," the memorandum said.

Mr Billington was not in court today and another lawyer, Paul Dale, appeared on his behalf. Mr Dale said Todd had not been charged with any offences but had been named in court documents in relation to charges against other people.

Mr Dale said Todd was not seeking continued name suppression because "he would like to clear the air".

Todd and another high profile sports celebrity were named when the first of six people facing drugs charges first appeared in court after police raids in addresses across inner city Auckland.

Todd and the other celebrity, who has continued name suppression, are both overseas.

A total of eight people are facing charges over what police call a white-collar drug ring.

One of them, Auckland property developer David Henderson, has admitted attempting to procure a class A drug, cocaine, but has applied for a discharge without conviction, saying a conviction would have a serious negative impact on his development company the Kitchener Group.

Henderson is due to hear the decision on that application from Judge Simon Lockhart, QC, in Auckland next week.

The others are due to appear for a pre-depositions hearing early next month.

- NZPA