A man has pleaded not guilty to charges laid after an early morning police raid on a central Auckland apartment block yesterday.
The 56-year-old, who is accused of possession of a methamphetamine pipe and of a non-operational 1917 Luger pistol, was granted interim name suppression at a hearing at Auckland District Court this morning.
Wearing black jeans and a leather jacket, the man, whose occupation is listed on court documents as manager, was supported at the hearing by his female partner.
The man was granted police bail yesterday morning following his arrest at the Artizanz Apartments building in Newton and watched from the public gallery later in the day as his lawyer applied for interim name suppression.
Judge Nicola Mathers declined, but the man's lawyer, Mark Ryan, appealed against the decision.
Although the operation was carried out by the police child exploitation team, the court was told yesterday that no charges relating to the operation were laid.
The man was one of three people, including a 16-year-old girl, arrested in the raid.
A 33-year-old man arrested on outstanding fines of $2000 was also granted name suppression yesterday and released on bail.
The 16-year-old was arrested for breaching bail conditions, dealt with by the Youth Court and released into social welfare custody.
Residents said police systematically checked each of the 28 flats in the three-level building and broke down doors during the raid.
One said he was in his room when police busted through his door and searched his apartment.
"I just heard them going 'bang' on the doors. I came out with my hands up and got thrown on the ground.''
Another described the apartment block as ''Hotel California'', populated by a mix of people from all walks of life.
There was always a "police presence'' around the building, but it had quietened down lately, he said.
