Pubdate: Sat, 18 Dec 2004
Source: Waikato Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/486
Author: Lucy Reed
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MURDER SQUAD PROBE DRUG DEAL SCENARIO

Police are investigating whether murdered Waihi man Philip Hennah was 
killed when a drug deal went wrong.

Yesterday, police confirmed that the weapon used to kill Waihi man Philip 
Hennah was a metal bar nearly 80cm in length.

Mr Hennah's, 48, badly beaten body was found in the driveway of his 
Silverton Rd home on Saturday afternoon the weekend before last.

Police said the metal bar was found at Mr Hennah's home and it was the 
murder weapon.

Detective Inspector Peter Devoy said the bar was a piece of steel pipe 
about 78.5cm in length.

Police were still waiting for forensic results to confirm if there were any 
fingerprints on the bar.

"This is a significant breakthrough. Our inquiries will be focused on the 
weapon and we will be looking at closer forensic testing of it. I would 
expect a number of inquiries to flow from this," said Detective Inspector 
Peter Devoy. Advertisement

The Waikato Times was told yesterday that Mr Hennah was killed when a deal 
involving pseudoephedrine - a substance used to make methaphetamine - went 
wrong.

In response to this, Mr Devoy said there were a number of possibilities and 
it was one that police were exploring.

He said the team remained at its original strength and there was still a 
lot of work to be done.

Detectives wanted to thank the Waihi community and in particular Philip 
Hennah's friends for their co-operation.

Police were still seeking four youths seen in the Silverton Road area at 
the time of Mr Hennah's murder.
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