Drug-charge cop has cancer

Mark Franklin. Photo / Facebook

A former top New Zealand detective arrested in the Cook Islands as part of a drug ring has returned to New Zealand for cancer treatment. Mark Franklin, who investigated many high-profile criminal cases, is one of 13 people charged after a cannabis bust.

Seven of the accused appeared in court in Rarotonga yesterday morning and were further remanded on bail. However the court was told that Franklin had returned to New Zealand for continuing cancer treatment.

Franklin, who left the police five years ago, allegedly operated as a local drug dealer.