Man bound for court on P charges

A Blenheim man was to appear in Blenheim District Court today to face methamphetamine charges after police raided a Taylor Cres house last week.

Bevan John Kelly, 39, appeared before a Justice of the Peace on Friday on drug charges, including possession of the drug methamphetamine (known as P) and possession of equipment and materials to manufacture the drug.

Kelly was remanded in custody to appear in court today.

On Friday, specialists in methamphetamine manufacturing examined the property after 10 Blenheim police officers searched it on Thursday afternoon.

Sergeant Tony Yardley, of Blenheim police, said materials and utensils found led police to believe methamphetamine was being manufactured at the house.

Kelly already faced charges stemming from February 10, namely possession of a methamphetamine pipe, possession of cannabis for supply, cultivation and possession of cultivation equipment. Kelly's partner, Shagin Celeste Catamole, 26, who has two young children and is five months pregnant, was also to appear in court today on related charges after being remanded on bail on Friday.

Catamole is charged with supplying iodine to Kelly, which police allege was used for manufacturing P. She also faces several lesser drugs charges.

Police inquiries are continuing.

- The Marlborough Express