Extra time for drug operation analysis

Extra time has been granted for the police to file material on their Operation Granite P-lab busts, with seven Christchurch accused today remanded to a post-committal conference on September 24.

The investigation team is analysing 20,000 text and phone messages gathered during the interception phase of the operation, which ended with police swoops on alleged secret drug laboratories in Christchurch, Ashburton, and Rangiora on June 9.

The extension of time was granted at an appearance by seven accused before Christchurch District Court Judge David Saunders today.

The judge suppressed details of the discussion on bail applications.

One of the seven is already on bail, but others have been remanded in custody to the September date after having their bail applications refused, and in some cases appealing unsuccessfully to the High Court.

Two of the accused will renew their bail applications at a hearing set for Friday morning.

- NZPA