Australian detectives probe drug scene

Press, 10 June 1982, Page 2

Australian detectives probe drug scene

PA Auckland Five Australian detectives are in New Zealand to interview persons for the Stewart Royal Commission on drug trafficking in Australia. The detectives met the head of New Zealand criminal investigations, Assistant Deputy Commissioner M. T. Churches, in Wellington on Tuesday. Mr Churches said the detectives, who are attached to the commission, would stay in New Zealand for several weeks. He said New Zealand

police drawn from Auckland and Wellington would assist the Australian detectives as part of police co-operation with the commission. Persons interviewed would have the same rights as in a normal investigation, Mr Churches said. The laws and rules were the same. The commission’s secretary, Mr Gary Linnane, said in Sydney last week that it was policy not to disclose information about the activi-. ties of the investigators attached to the commission. The policy has been

followed by police officials in New Zealand, who have declined to comment on the activities of the Australian detectives. The Royal Commission is expected in New Zealand later this year after the investigators have made preliminary inquiries. Much of the evidence already presented to the commission has concerned the New Zealand “Mr Asia” drug syndicate, and the activities of the drugs boss. Terence Clark, who changed his name to Alexander Sinclair.