Drug charge follows Desert Rd crash

A Christchurch man has been arrested and charged with manufacturing drugs after chemicals were found in a car that crashed after a police pursuit on the Desert Rd.

The 38-year-old man appeared in the Taupo District Court yesterday and was remanded to appear in the Hamilton District Court on January 4.

His arrest follows a police pursuit on Christmas Day when police tried to stop a Ford Falcon travelling north on State Highway 1, near Waiouru.

The driver sped off before losing control. Chemicals and items used to manufacture drugs were found in the car after it crashed.

They were examined by the New Zealand Police Illicit Drug Laboratory and ESR scientists who found they were allegedly drug-related and hazardous.

The man has been charged with manufacturing a class B drug, namely Poppy Straw Concentration, and has also been charged with possession of equipment used to manufacture a controlled drug.

Other items relating to the consumption of drugs and items used for homebaking heroin were also found.

Police inquires were continuing.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)