Girl, 16, faces LSD dealing charges

A 16-year-old Invercargill girl faces 16 charges of offering to supply LSD after a drug operation in the city.

Her case was called in the Invercargill Youth Court yesterday.

Her attendance was excused but her lawyer, Fergus More, said she had indicated she would not deny the charges.

She was remanded till June 8 for a decision to be made on whether the case would be kept in the youth court or transferred to a higher court.

The police summary of facts says a police operation targeting suspected drug dealers was carried out in December last year.

Searches led to the seizure of a cellphone allegedly used by the girl. The summary alleges she sent and received about 16 messages relating to dealing in LSD.

Police say the girl admitted trying to sell the drugs on behalf of her friends. She also said some of her associates had also used the phone to allegedly arrange drug deals, the summary says.

The summary also says police had noticed an increase in the prevalence of drugs such as LSD, ecstasy and methamphetamine in circulation.

- © Fairfax NZ News