Man arrested in meth bust appears in court

Boat fingerprinted in meth bust. Photo / Michael Cunningham

One of two men arrested in relation to the country's biggest methamphetamine bust has appeared in court this morning.

The man, in his mid-20s, appeared briefly at the Manukau District Court.

Standing in the dock, he stood calmly with his hands in his pockets.

He was given interim name suppression and any details that may identify him until next Tuesday, when he is due back in the same court.

Bail was opposed and police would be seeking to join this offender to other offenders.

A second man has appeared at the Manukau District Court late this morning.

The 26-year-old, like his co-offender, was also granted name suppression and details that may identify him.

As he walked out into the dock, he stood briefly with clenched fists on the stand, before standing with his arms folded.

A lawyer said she was seeking name suppression on the grounds that release of his name may be a risk of prejudice to a fair trial.

He has been remanded in custody until Thursday, when he will reappear at the same court.

Police said they would be moving to join this offender to others involved as well, before transferring matters to a court in Kaitaia, where the bust occurred.