Dope-smoking snowboarders get diversion

Two United States snowboarders - one believed to be a former Winter Olympics medallist - charged with possession of cannabis in Wanaka have been given diversion.

The duo was stopped by police during a random breath-alcohol check on August 1 and were found to have a "significant amount" of cannabis in their possession.

Both men, aged in their 20s, who told police they were in New Zealand as tourists, were due to appear in Queenstown District Court today.

But a police spokeswoman said the pair had been given police diversion and so did not appear in court today.

If diversion is completed satisfactorily the pair will avoid having convictions to their name.

They were granted name suppression.

- NZPA