A man has pleaded not guilty to charges laid after an early
morning police raid on a central Auckland apartment block
yesterday.
The 56-year-old, who is accused of possession of a
methamphetamine pipe and of a non-operational 1917 Luger
pistol, was granted interim name suppression at a hearing at
Auckland District Court this morning.
Wearing black jeans and a leather jacket, the man, whose
occupation is listed on court documents as manager, was
supported at the hearing by his female partner.
The man was granted police bail yesterday morning following
his arrest at the Artizanz Apartments building in Newton and
watched from the public gallery later in the day as his
lawyer applied for interim name suppression.
Judge Nicola Mathers declined, but the man's lawyer, Mark
Ryan, appealed against the decision.
Although the operation was carried out by the police child
exploitation team, the court was told yesterday that no
charges relating to the operation were laid.
The man was one of three people, including a 16-year-old
girl, arrested in the raid.
A 33-year-old man arrested on outstanding fines of $2000 was
also granted name suppression yesterday and released on bail.
The 16-year-old was arrested for breaching bail conditions,
dealt with by the Youth Court and released into social
welfare custody.
Residents said police systematically checked each of the 28
flats in the three-level building and broke down doors during
the raid.
One said he was in his room when police busted through his
door and searched his apartment.
"I just heard them going 'bang' on the doors. I came out with
my hands up and got thrown on the ground.''
Another described the apartment block as ''Hotel
California'', populated by a mix of people from all walks of
life.
There was always a "police presence'' around the building,
but it had quietened down lately, he said.
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