Courts kept busy after drug raids

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Wanganui court staff have been busy following a major drugs bust in the city late last week.

Six people appeared before Judge Gerard Lynch in the Whanganui District Court yesterday after being arrested in Operation Valley. The Chronicle understands others, including district councillor Jack Bullock, facing a charge of cannabis possession, appeared in court on Saturday.

Seventeen people in total were arrested in Operation Valley raids, conducted by 60 police at homes across the district on Thursday and Friday.

The youngest to appear yesterday was 17-year-old Jacob Christopher McKenzie, who faces two charges of selling or supplying cannabis.

Duty solicitor Anna Brosnahan said a legal aid application had been made for McKenzie and asked he be bailed to reappear on December 10.

Several friends and family members packed the public gallery in support of McKenzie, who did not say anything during his brief appearance.

Also bailed to reappear on December 10 was Raymond Mickleson on four counts of supplying methamphetamine. He was represented by Peter Brosnahan.

Christine Maree Raymond entered no plea to charges of possessing cannabis for supply, supplying methamphetamine and four charges of selling or supplying cannabis. She was also granted bail after an application by Debbie Goodlet, acting on instructions from Roger Crowley, and will reappear on December 10.

Ms Goodlet represented three other men arrested in Operation Valley.

Stuart Vincent Cripps, whose parents were in the public gallery, was charged with 10 counts of selling or supplying cannabis and one each of cultivating cannabis, supplying methamphetamine and receiving stolen goods. He was bailed to reappear on December 10.

Perry Mark Hanning appeared facing 18 charges of supplying methamphetamine, 11 of selling or supplying cannabis, and other single charges of burglary, obtaining by deception and receiving stolen goods. Hanning was also bailed to reappear on December 10.

The only Operation Valley accused not to get bail yesterday was Jamie Peter Nicholas, charged with 10 counts of supplying methamphetamine, six of selling or supplying cannabis and one of burglary. Nicholas was remanded in custody until December 10.

Yesterday afternoon, a Chronicle website poll had 69 per cent of voters saying Jack Bullock should resign as a Wanganui district councillor if convicted of cannabis possession; 31 per cent said he should not.