Pubdate: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) Copyright: 2006 New Zealand Herald Contact: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300 Author: David Eames Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or officials. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) FASHION HOUSE CREATOR TO STAND TRIAL ON DRUGS AND RECEIVING COUNTS The founder of a high-profile fashion label will stand trial for his alleged part in a cannabis cultivation operation, and for receiving stolen property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. [redacted] a co-creator of the design house [redacted], appeared at an Auckland District Court depositions hearing yesterday, where he maintained not guilty pleas but conceded he had a prima facie case to answer He faces a number of charges, including cultivation of cannabis and allowing his premises to be used to grow the drug, and receiving stolen goods worth $600,000. [redacted] are also charged in the cannabis offending. [redacted] was arrested following police raids on a premises housing his [redacted] label. Police at the time of his arrest described the cannabis operation as "huge and sophisticated". More than 200 plants were found in rooms on the property. But his lawyer, Gary Gotlieb, said [redacted] operated out of the same factory but had no link to the area where the cannabis was found. "He's got some items and things on his property which are not that flash but they're not major charges. But [police] are trying to lump him in with all this next door." The 11-year-old clothing label featured in last year's Air New Zealand Fashion Week, with [redacted] and business partner [redacted] taking a curtain-call on mini chopper bikes. The [redacted] label burst on to the fashion scene when [redacted] and [redacted], then studying textile design at the Auckland Institute of Technology, won the [redacted] [redacted] was awarded a trade and export award worth $16,000 at Fashion Week in 2004. [redacted] has since resigned his directorship, but remains a sole director of [redacted]. All four men were yesterday committed for trial and remanded on bail to call-over dates later in the year. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake