Fishing guide arrested

A Queenstown fishing guide faces four dishonesty charges after allegedly failing to pass on licence fees collected from customers to Fish and Game Otago.

The 52-year-old man was arrested yesterday and will appear in Queenstown District Court on Monday.

The Otago Daily Times reported today that the arrest followed a lengthy private investigation by Fish and Game Otago after allegations were made that money paid by clients for 24-hour licence fees was dishonestly kept by a Queenstown-based fishing guide and charter business.

Fish and Game Otago chief executive Niall Watson said the investigation began in January after "irregularities in the licensing were noticed" last year.

The result of the private investigation was "enough to put the matter in the hands of the police".

The newspaper said Queenstown police executed several search warrants yesterday and arrested a Queenstown man.

He was charged with four counts of causing loss by deception, Detective Matthew Jones said.

Police were still investigating and there could be more charges laid.

- NZPA