Drug ‘double-cross’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 3

Drug ‘double-cross’

!N.Z. Press Association! AUCKLAND, August 27. An alleged §20,000 drugs double-cross which could rank as New Zealand’s fourth biggest armed holdup is being investigated by South Auckland detectives. It is believed that the police investigation has been complicated because no-one has chosen to complain about losing the $20,000. It is understood that, after negotiation between two groups, a night rendezvous was kept at Musick Point where the drug deal was supposed to be clinched.

But instead of turning up with marijuana, the “pushers” confronted the buyers with a single barrel shotgun, an air-pistol, and a .38 replica handgun and disappeared into the night with the cash.

The officer in charge of the Otahuhu C. 1.8. (Detective Inspector R. Chadwick) said today that four men have been interviewed in connection with the alleged robbery, and the police were seeking the whereabouts of a fifth.

Detectives first heard of the drug “rip-off” about three days later through

the round-about way of a ■ missing person report.

A girl was reported miss- | ing from her Auckland home, and police inquiries i turned up the possibility of a big drug double-cross.

Mr Chadwick said that the girl was later traced to Christchurch, where a young man in her company was arrested, and charged with driving while disqualified.

A car in his possession was seized.

Further inquiries led to the seizure of three other cars in Auckland and about $4OOO in cash.