A New Plymouth businessman facing a raft of charges for possession and supply of methamphetamine has signalled he wants bail so he can attend a rehabilitation clinic in Auckland.
Lauchlan MacMillan Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Lauchlan MacMillan, the owner of the New Plymouth branch of Fowler Homes, appeared in the New Plymouth District Court via an audio-visual link from Whanganui Prison.
His counsel said the 42-year-old wanted to undergo a detox treatment in the residential facility.
Mr MacMillan was arrested last month when the police organised crime group made raids on multiple Taranaki properties, seizing drugs, cash and vehicles.
He is facing 11 drugs charges and an unrelated dangerous driving charge.
A 45-year-old Waitara man and a 32 year old Opunake woman were arrested the same day as Mr MacMillan.
A 28-year-old woman and two men aged 25 and 38 were arrested about a week later and charged with conspiracy to supply methamphetamine.
Police said at the time they were close to wrapping up an investigation targeting organised methamphetamine dealers in Taranaki.
Mr MacMillan had an application before the court today for electronic bail but it was dismissed because all three addresses put forward were deemed unsuitable.
Instead Judge David Cameron remanded Mr MacMillan in custody until 22 November for a bail hearing.
Judge Cameron said it was "not unusual in the circumstances" to field an application for bail so a defendant could attend drug rehabilitation.
However, he warned that the success of that application could hang on the availability of a bed at the Auckland rehabilitation facility.
