The importer of the controversial chemical One4b has been charged with breaching the Food Act.
Timaru man James McNee has been importing the chemical 1,4-butanediol (One4b) as a compact disc cleaner.
Timaru police say they are charging McNee with breaches of the Food Act "relating to the sale and packing for sale of products containing 1,4- butanediol."
They said the chemical could induce dangerously low respiratory rates, unconsciousness, vomiting, seizures and death.
It has been linked to the overdose of a Dunedin man this year.
Yesterday, police raided McNee's house and garage, and two rural properties on the outskirts of Timaru.
They seized 160 one-litre bottles of One4b and a 44-gallon drum of the raw product.
The bottles at his address had labels calling the substance Puritech and Audioclear.
Police also seized computer equipment and documents.
The Ministry of Health had already seized about 60 litres of the product from McNee's home in January.
Police said the prosecution followed a police investigation, prompted by reports of people becoming unconscious after swallowing the chemical.
The Deputy Director-General of Public Health, Don Matheson, said four charges had been laid under two sections of the Food Act 1981.
But McNee said that his defence was written on the bottles, which stated the product was not to be taken.
McNee will appear in the Timaru District Court on July 31.
- NZPA
One4b importer arrested
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