29 Jul 2015

Botched Nelson gang case cost $1m

11:31 am on 29 July 2015

Newly released figures show the botched Red Devils drugs and firearms prosecution cost the taxpayer at least $1 million.

The case bounced around the courts for six years before eventually foundering because the police were found to have abused the court process.

They had faked a search warrant and an undercover officer had appeared in court under a false name.

Information released to Radio New Zealand shows 13 of the 21 Nelson bikies charged received legal aid totalling $884,447, though not all the lawyers' invoices are in.

On top of that, Crown Law spent $97,633 and other unspecified costs fell on police, the courts and Corrections.

All charges against the 21 members of the Nelson motorcycle gang were either quashed or dropped earlier this year.