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Saturday, March 12, 2011

New Zealand - Third drug-accused granted bail

OFF THE WIRE
JIMMY ELLINGHAM
 stuff.co.nz
Palmerston North's Herre van Niekerken will be released from custody on electronic bail, meaning three people facing methamphetamine charges from Operation Stamp are back in the community.
After being arrested in drug and property raids last month, the tattoo artist faces one charge each of the possession of methamphetamine for supply, conspiring to deal and having equipment or material with intent.
As it was unlikely he would go to trial soon, he was released on electronic bail by Judge Nevin Dawson at Palmerston North District Court yesterday.
Police prosecutor Murray Lyons opposed the bail application, partly because it was feared van Niekerken would leave New Zealand for Australia, where the Rebels Motorcycle Club gang was based.
But defence lawyer Simon Hewson said van Niekerken's links with Manawatu would make it unlikely he would flee.
He and his wife had recently bought a $306,000 house in Palmerston North, with money from his wife's father in Russia.
Additionally, he had eight children who all lived in the city. His father lived in Tokomaru.
"The combination of those family commitments and the electronic monitoring make it very unlikely he would leave the country."
Mr Hewson said the bail address, where van Niekerken would have to remain 24 hours a day from his release on March 14, was just minutes away from the police station, so would give police ample time to react should van Niekerken abscond.
Suggestions van Niekerken would interfere with witnesses or evidence were "farcical" – witnesses were mostly police officers, Mr Hewson said.
Early evidence passed to him by the police did not appear to suggest van Niekerken was pivotal in the alleged drugs operations.
While the police operation lasted three years, he had been in the country for only eight months since returning from Australia, Mr Hewson said.
Van Niekerken's bail conditions include an order not to associate with members of the Rebels, Tribesmen, Nomads or Mongrel Mob gangs, not to drink alcohol or take drugs, and to remain at home on a 24-hour curfew. His next court appearance is on March 31.
Last week, a 44-year-old woman who has name suppression and who is facing a conspiring to deal methamphetamine charge, was released on bail.
Palmerston North roofer Wade James Blackwell, 33, was already on bail. He also faces one charge of conspiring to deal methamphetamine.
Operation Stamp involved 150 police officers, who arrested 30 people allegedly connected to drug and stolen property operations in Palmerston North, Feilding, Levin, Foxton, Otaki, Whanganui, Murupara, Hamilton, Auckland and Northland.