A constable accused of stealing methamphetamine during a search is now charged with supplying the drug to others.
Joseph William Rawiri, 27, was originally charged under the Crimes Act with stealing a small amount of methamphetamine while involved in searching a car in Manurewa on January 16. He denied the
charge.
The police have now laid another charge - stealing a controlled drug - under the Misuse of Drugs Act in relation to the incident. That is a much more serious offence, carrying a maximum seven-year sentence.
Rawiri is also accused of supplying the drug by giving it to non-police associates.
That charge carries a maximum life imprisonment.
In the Manukau District Court yesterday Judge Charles Blackie set the case down for a preliminary hearing next month.
Bail was continued.
Outside the court, defence counsel Todd Simmonds said: "Constable Rawiri strongly denies any wrongdoing and all the charges will be vigorously defended."
Mr Simmonds complained to Judge Blackie that the police were guilty of an abuse of process.
He said the new, more serious, theft charge was a doubling-up.
According to the police, Rawiri searched a vehicle in Manurewa with a colleague around 8.40pm.
It is alleged that while speaking to the two male occupants he took two point "P" bags containing a small amount of methamphetamine.
A point "P" bag contains about one tenth of a gram of the drug.
It is alleged that he took the point bags, intending to destroy them later.
However, it is claimed that he still had the bags when he went home. There he met some associates.
He allegedly found the point "P" bags in his pocket and gave them to his associates.
