Record meth bust: Three plead not guilty

Northland Police made a record seizure of methamphetamine. Photo / Supplied

Three of seven men charged over a record breaking haul of 494kg of methamphetamine seized by police on 90 Mile Beach and at Totara North last month appeared in the Kaitaia District Court today.

All three entered not guilty pleas to charges of importing and possession of methamphetamine for supply. Judge Greg Davis further remanded the three men in custody for a case review hearing in Kaitaia on August 30. One faces further counts of belonging to an organised criminal group and money laundering.

Interim suppression orders were continued. None of the three applied for bail.

Judge Davis granted media applications for audio and visual recording of the hearing, albeit on the condition that neither the defendants nor anyone in the public gallery was identified.