Man Sentenced After Operation Barber Cuts At West Coast Drug Supply
Leo Smith, aged 22, was on Tuesday (29 April) sentenced to 10 months home detention.
Operation Barber started in 2023 after Police received information relating to the supply of class B drugs across the wider region.
Smith was identified as a person of interest, and Police conducted search warrants on 8 March 2024 at two addresses he was connected to.
Police located and seized drugs, instruments, and cash, as well as his mobile devices.
The operation has been hugely successful thanks to the dedication of the West Coast Tactical Crime Unit who were greatly assisted over the last 18 months by Christchurch Criminal Investigations Branch.
As a result of our investigations, we have been able to uncover a number of associates working with Smith.
Several other people were involved in the supply chain and supplying class A-C illicit drugs across the Greymouth and Canterbury regions.
These offenders were unidentified previously, with little to no criminal history. They have now been convicted and more than $90,000 in cash has been forfeited across the wider operation.
Police will continue to hold people to account who are supplying drugs and causing harm to our community.
If you have concerns about illegal drug use in your community, please call 111 if there is an immediate public safety risk, or contact us via 105 online [1], or by phone, to make a report.
You can also report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Former press secretary Michael Forbes told to inform PM himself after filming allegations
Michael Forbes. Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes Police immediately escalated allegations about the prime minister's former deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes to the police executive - including the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner - but Forbes was told the "onus was on him" to inform his employer, documents released under the Official Information Act reveal. Forbes, a former journalist, resigned after it emerged he recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. Police earlier said they got a complaint from a Wellington brothel last July after images were found on a client's phone, but decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution . On Wednesday, a series of documents were released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, including a timeline of key events and executive notifications. The incident at the Wellington brothel happened at 7pm on 11 July. Police Comms was notified the following day at 5.40pm. Ten minutes later the National Command and Coordination Centre was alerted and then the District Command Centre. At 6.15pm on 12 July an email was then sent to a large number of senior police leaders, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and others. "Police Comms have been called by an informant who works for an escort agency. The informant has found images on a client's phone of naked females, including one very intoxicated female that appear to have been taken with the consent of those photographed/filmed. "The client is allegedly Michael FORBES who is the Senior Press Secretary for the Hon Louise Upston, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. "The alleged offender has left his personal and work cell phones with the informant. The file has been assigned to the Wellington District Crime Squad for attendance." The police media team had been notified, the email said. The email was recalled about 20 minutes later after now Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura said asked for the recall as "the distribution list is too broad for this type of communication". The staffer replied they had. Kura said the case was "one of those ones that is a little more sensitive and didn't need such a wide audience". Police said that as the email, which was sent to nearly 40 senior staff, was recalled "not all the people on the distribution list would have seen the notification email or had any awareness of the details". At 6.26pm Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney texted Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel to say the National Command and Coordination Centre had sent the notification "viral". John van den Heuvel. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson At 6.47pm, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell received a text from a senior sergeant advising him of the allegations. Parnell replied and said he needed them to "ensure we calm the farm and step through things. Already a cast of 1000s in the loop". At 7pm Parnell emailed Sweeney, van den Heuvel and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham and said Kura had been briefed. "Expressed my frustration that a cast of thousand notified for what is a matter well within the normal investigation capability of our team." He ended the email saying: "suggest some thought is given to a response in the event of media interest". Sweeney replied there needed to be a look at the serious crime notifications in general "as they all go far and wide now". "Maybe District commanders and crime managers local get advised then use normal channels. Creates a bit much excitement." The documents included an investigation summary, which said on 12 July 2024, Wellington Police received a complaint that Forbes had covertly made an audio recording the previous day while engaging the services of a sex worker. "The informant advised police that they had taken two mobile phones from Forbes, one believed to be a personal phone, the other a work device. The informant also reported finding other audio files, images and videos that caused concern." The informant was spoken to by police and both phones were taken. "Once it was established that Forbes was a senior press secretary at Parliament, procedural escalation notifications were made that evening. "The Wellington District Command Centre was advised, as was the duty inspector." On 13 July, a detective obtained search warrants to examine the two cell phones. "The suspected offence was making an intimate visual recording, being an offence against section 216H of the Crimes Act 1961." On 15 July, a detective visited Forbes and advised him of the police investigation. During that visit Forbes provided access codes for the phones. On 18 July, a detective examined the phones. "Located within both phones were numerous videos, screenshots and photos of unidentified females, some in various state of undress, and exposed breasts were visible in multiple videos. "It was apparent to detectives that some images were taken in, and from, public places, including a gym. Some images were also taken through street facing windows of unidentified women, dressing (undressing) themselves, and who were visible from the waist up." Christopher Luxon and Louise Upston. Photo: Marika Khabazi The summary said the examination of the phones did not identify evidence of criminal offending. On 18 July, Forbes met with a detective and the phones were returned to him. "He was also provided copies of the search warrants that had been obtained. "During the meeting it was suggested that Forbes should delete some of the images on his phones, and he began doing so. Police also stressed the onus was on him to inform his employer." On 19 July, police provided an update to the complainant. On 6 August, police also provided an update to another staff member at the brothel. "They expressed frustration and disappointment with the outcome," the summary said. In an earlier statement, van den Heuvel earlier said that as part of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant to seize two of his phones. On examining the phones, police found a number of photos and videos of women in public spaces, and what appeared to be women in private addresses, taken from a distance away, van den Heuvel said. "Police considered the available evidence and concluded it did not meet the requirements for criminality, and therefore charges could not be filed. "The individual concerned voluntarily spoke with police and admitted to taking the images and recordings. He was reminded of the inappropriateness of his behaviour and encouraged to seek help." Forbes also deleted the images in the presence of police. "Police acknowledge this man's behaviour was extremely distressing for the women involved and would like to reassure them that any new information will be thoroughly considered. "Based on the initial report and available evidence to date, police are unable to progress the matter further." Van den Heuvel said that any new information regarding Forbes would be "thoroughly considered". When earlier asked why police did not alert the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) after executing a search warrant on a government-issued phone, the department said: "We are still gathering facts and will look into all of this as part of our deep dive." The DIA said all Ministerial Services staff were subject to standard pre-employment checks when they were first employed. These included reference checks, serious misconduct checks and a criminal conviction check. In addition, security clearances were required for some positions in ministers' offices. The department said these checks were completed when Forbes was first employed by Ministerial Services and were not required for the later temporary assignment to the prime minister's office. "We acknowledge staff may be unsettled or feel their safety may have been compromised. We are committed to supporting our people and ensuring they feel, and are, safe at work." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the incidents that were investigated by police but did not lead to any charges occurred after he was vetted to work for Social Development Minister Louise Upston. "He has an obligation to actually declare those issues or those incidents to us - that didn't happen which is why his employment would have been terminated, obviously," Luxon said in a media conference at Parliament in June. "But there is a good question about making sure, and I have asked specifically for DIA to look at vetting processes." He added that the expectation was on Forbes to have raised the incidents with the prime minister's office "because it impacts the office and the reputation of the office, for obvious reasons, but that did not happen". Forbes moved from Upston's office to the prime minister's in February this year and "had the vetting that he needed to come into the Beehive". "We will look at that to make sure that there is anything else we could have done differently in that vetting." Luxon would not discuss what level of security clearance Forbes had in the Beehive. Luxon also had questions about whether the investigation should have been elevated by police to the Beehive. 'We have to take this incident and understand what has happened here and how it happened, and what more can we do about it. "I think it is a legitimate question to say, what can we look at between the inter-agency processes, between the different agencies, whether it is police, whether it is the SIS or whether it is Ministerial Services." Forbes earlier offered an apology for the harm his actions caused to women. "I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the women I have harmed," he said in a statement. "In the past, I was in a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma and stress, and when confronted with the impacts of my behaviour a year ago, I sought professional help, which is something I wish I had done much earlier. "What I failed to do then was make a genuine attempt to apologise. Instead, I tried to move on without offering those I had harmed the acknowledgement, accountability, or amends they deserved. I recognise how wrong that was." Forbes said he spent the past year "reflecting on how I may have affected these women's sense of safety and ability to go about their lives and work". "No one should ever feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, especially in spaces where they should feel secure, and I am truly sorry for contributing to an environment where women may have felt otherwise," he said. "The therapy I've received over the past year has helped me to understand the roots of my behaviour and begin addressing the patterns that led to it. This is a long-term commitment to change that I take very seriously. "I understand that my past actions may have undermined the trust people place in me. So, I have resigned from my job to focus on the work I need to do." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Former press secretary Michael Forbes told to inform employer himself after filming allegations
Michael Forbes. Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes Police immediately escalated allegations about the prime minister's former deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes to the police executive - including the police commissioner and the assistant commissioner - but Forbes was told the "onus was on him" to inform his employer, documents released under the Official Information Act reveal. Forbes, a former journalist, resigned after it emerged he recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. Police earlier said they got a complaint from a Wellington brothel last July after images were found on a client's phone, but decided the case did not meet the threshold for prosecution . On Wednesday, a series of documents were released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, including a timeline of key events and executive notifications. The incident at the Wellington brothel happened at 7pm on 11 July. Police Comms was notified the following day at 5.40pm. Ten minutes later the National Command and Coordination Centre was alerted and then the District Command Centre. At 6.15pm on 12 July an email was then sent to a large number of senior police leaders, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and others. "Police Comms have been called by an informant who works for an escort agency. The informant has found images on a client's phone of naked females, including one very intoxicated female that appear to have been taken with the consent of those photographed/filmed. "The client is allegedly Michael FORBES who is the Senior Press Secretary for the Hon Louise Upston, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. "The alleged offender has left his personal and work cell phones with the informant. The file has been assigned to the Wellington District Crime Squad for attendance." The police media team had been notified, the email said. The email was recalled about 20 minutes later after now Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura said asked for the recall as "the distribution list is too broad for this type of communication". The staffer replied they had. Kura said the case was "one of those ones that is a little more sensitive and didn't need such a wide audience". Police said that as the email, which was sent to nearly 40 senior staff, was recalled "not all the people on the distribution list would have seen the notification email or had any awareness of the details". At 6.26pm Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney texted Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel to say the National Command and Coordination Centre had sent the notification "viral". John van den Heuvel. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson At 6.47pm, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell received a text from a senior sergeant advising him of the allegations. Parnell replied and said he needed them to "ensure we calm the farm and step through things. Already a cast of 1000s in the loop". At 7pm Parnell emailed Sweeney, van den Heuvel and Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham and said Kura had been briefed. "Expressed my frustration that a cast of thousand notified for what is a matter well within the normal investigation capability of our team." He ended the email saying: "suggest some thought is given to a response in the event of media interest". Sweeney replied there needed to be a look at the serious crime notifications in general "as they all go far and wide now". "Maybe District commanders and crime managers local get advised then use normal channels. Creates a bit much excitement." The documents included an investigation summary, which said on 12 July 2024, Wellington Police received a complaint that Forbes had covertly made an audio recording the previous day while engaging the services of a sex worker. "The informant advised police that they had taken two mobile phones from Forbes, one believed to be a personal phone, the other a work device. The informant also reported finding other audio files, images and videos that caused concern." The informant was spoken to by police and both phones were taken. "Once it was established that Forbes was a senior press secretary at Parliament, procedural escalation notifications were made that evening. "The Wellington District Command Centre was advised, as was the duty inspector." On 13 July, a detective obtained search warrants to examine the two cell phones. "The suspected offence was making an intimate visual recording, being an offence against section 216H of the Crimes Act 1961." On 15 July, a detective visited Forbes and advised him of the police investigation. During that visit Forbes provided access codes for the phones. On 18 July, a detective examined the phones. "Located within both phones were numerous videos, screenshots and photos of unidentified females, some in various state of undress, and exposed breasts were visible in multiple videos. "It was apparent to detectives that some images were taken in, and from, public places, including a gym. Some images were also taken through street facing windows of unidentified women, dressing (undressing) themselves, and who were visible from the waist up." Christopher Luxon and Louise Upston. Photo: Marika Khabazi The summary said the examination of the phones did not identify evidence of criminal offending. On 18 July, Forbes met with a detective and the phones were returned to him. "He was also provided copies of the search warrants that had been obtained. "During the meeting it was suggested that Forbes should delete some of the images on his phones, and he began doing so. Police also stressed the onus was on him to inform his employer." On 19 July, police provided an update to the complainant. On 6 August, police also provided an update to another staff member at the brothel. "They expressed frustration and disappointment with the outcome," the summary said. In an earlier statement, van den Heuvel earlier said that as part of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant to seize two of his phones. On examining the phones, police found a number of photos and videos of women in public spaces, and what appeared to be women in private addresses, taken from a distance away, van den Heuvel said. "Police considered the available evidence and concluded it did not meet the requirements for criminality, and therefore charges could not be filed. "The individual concerned voluntarily spoke with police and admitted to taking the images and recordings. He was reminded of the inappropriateness of his behaviour and encouraged to seek help." Forbes also deleted the images in the presence of police. "Police acknowledge this man's behaviour was extremely distressing for the women involved and would like to reassure them that any new information will be thoroughly considered. "Based on the initial report and available evidence to date, police are unable to progress the matter further." Van den Heuvel said that any new information regarding Forbes would be "thoroughly considered". When earlier asked why police did not alert the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) after executing a search warrant on a government-issued phone, the department said: "We are still gathering facts and will look into all of this as part of our deep dive." The DIA said all Ministerial Services staff were subject to standard pre-employment checks when they were first employed. These included reference checks, serious misconduct checks and a criminal conviction check. In addition, security clearances were required for some positions in ministers' offices. The department said these checks were completed when Forbes was first employed by Ministerial Services and were not required for the later temporary assignment to the prime minister's office. "We acknowledge staff may be unsettled or feel their safety may have been compromised. We are committed to supporting our people and ensuring they feel, and are, safe at work." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the incidents that were investigated by police but did not lead to any charges occurred after he was vetted to work for Social Development Minister Louise Upston. "He has an obligation to actually declare those issues or those incidents to us - that didn't happen which is why his employment would have been terminated, obviously," Luxon said in a media conference at Parliament in June. "But there is a good question about making sure, and I have asked specifically for DIA to look at vetting processes." He added that the expectation was on Forbes to have raised the incidents with the prime minister's office "because it impacts the office and the reputation of the office, for obvious reasons, but that did not happen". Forbes moved from Upston's office to the prime minister's in February this year and "had the vetting that he needed to come into the Beehive". "We will look at that to make sure that there is anything else we could have done differently in that vetting." Luxon would not discuss what level of security clearance Forbes had in the Beehive. Luxon also had questions about whether the investigation should have been elevated by police to the Beehive. 'We have to take this incident and understand what has happened here and how it happened, and what more can we do about it. "I think it is a legitimate question to say, what can we look at between the inter-agency processes, between the different agencies, whether it is police, whether it is the SIS or whether it is Ministerial Services." Forbes earlier offered an apology for the harm his actions caused to women. "I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the women I have harmed," he said in a statement. "In the past, I was in a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma and stress, and when confronted with the impacts of my behaviour a year ago, I sought professional help, which is something I wish I had done much earlier. "What I failed to do then was make a genuine attempt to apologise. Instead, I tried to move on without offering those I had harmed the acknowledgement, accountability, or amends they deserved. I recognise how wrong that was." Forbes said he spent the past year "reflecting on how I may have affected these women's sense of safety and ability to go about their lives and work". "No one should ever feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, especially in spaces where they should feel secure, and I am truly sorry for contributing to an environment where women may have felt otherwise," he said. "The therapy I've received over the past year has helped me to understand the roots of my behaviour and begin addressing the patterns that led to it. This is a long-term commitment to change that I take very seriously. "I understand that my past actions may have undermined the trust people place in me. So, I have resigned from my job to focus on the work I need to do." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
Search for person on grounds during 'arson' at abandoned hospital
The fire happened over the weekend. Photo: Google Maps A fire at the old Seaview Hospital near Hokitika, was believed to be arson, police say as they appeal for a person seen on the grounds to come forward. Fire crews arrived to find the Kotuku building well alight on Sunday morning. Detective Sergeant Graham Parsons, said the fire was being treated as an arson. Inside the former Seaview Hospital prior to the fire. Photo: Supplied / Jane Comeau Police want to speak to a person who was seen walking across the hospital grounds at 3.20am that day, or anyone else who was in the Seaview area at the time. Anyone with information should update police online or call 105 and use the reference number 250810/4743. Information could be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Seaview has been a prison, a home for people who were mentally unwell and a backpackers in the past. The hospital was closed in the early 2000's, with only a handful of patients left to transfer elsewhere. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
