An experienced lawyer from a top Auckland law firm has been arrested and charged with being an alleged dealer in a methamphetamine ring.
The man in his 40s, whose occupation on court documents was listed as "legal executive", appeared with five men and one woman at Auckland District Court yesterday afternoon.
The defendants were given name suppression until their next hearing in three weeks.
It is alleged the registered barrister and solicitor, with two of his co-accused, supplied the Class-A drug in June - a charge which carries a maximum term of life imprisonment
He also faces three charges of possessing the drug also known as "P" from as recently as July 7.
Administrative staff at the law firm where the defendant works said he was working today but not in the office. He did not respond to messages or emails.
The other six people charged by police range between the ages of 27 and 67 and face a total of 189 counts, mostly of supplying methamphetamine and possession for supply.
According to court documents the offending took place between May and August.
