A former Northland police detective on serious drugs charges has pleaded guilty after his lawyers received "irrefutable evidence" late on the first day of the high court trial.
Mike Blowers, 51, appeared in the dock flanked by a security officer yesterday and entered guilty pleas to supplying methamphetamine between June 1, 2011 and June 31, 2012, and a charge of stealing methamphetamine from a police exhibit room on or about October 19, 2011.
A third representative charge of supplying cannabis was discharged.
Blowers, who had served all his 20 years policing in Northland, was remanded on bail with strict conditions until sentencing on December 3. He was supported by at least a dozen friends and family in court.
Outside court lawyer Arthur Fairley said Blowers was ashamed he had let down his family, police colleagues and his community.
Mr Fairley said the Crown had to disclose evidence and the defence would prepare their case on that evidence. The trial started on Tuesday with the selection of the jury and evidence from Constable Scott Tyrell who had been involved in a drug raid on a Whangarei motel where a significant amount of methamphetamine had been seized. On Wednesday no evidence was heard as lawyers discussed "technical issues".
However, on Tuesday following evidence given by the first witness, the Crown had produced new evidence regarding the handling of and processing of methamphetamine seized in a drug raid of the motel.
He had used Crown experts who were made available to the defence team and he had also consulted his own experts on Wednesday.
Mr Fairley considered the new evidence irrefutable and advised Blowers it was unanswerable.
He said Blowers' family were upset but would continue to stand by him.
About 40 witnesses were expected to give evidence, and included senior Northland police officers.
By Kristin Edge of the Northern Advocate
