Two high-profile United States snowboarders - one understood to be a Winter Olympic silver medallist - have been arrested in Wanaka and charged with possessing cannabis.
Sergeant Paul Crosswell said yesterday the men had a "significant amount" of cannabis in their possession when the car in which they were travelling was stopped by police during a random breath-alcohol check on Beaconpoint Rd on Saturday evening.
One of the men was driving the car, police said.
No other charges had been laid.
Police declined to name the men, who are scheduled to appear in the Queenstown District Court on Monday.
The men, aged in their 20s, told police they were in New Zealand as tourists.
It is not known whether they intend to compete in the New Zealand Snowboarding Open, which begins in Wanaka on August 11, or the Winter Games NZ, to be held from August 22.
The men were not on the list of US entrants received for the snowboard open.
The list of US competitors for the Winter Games NZ was not available yesterday.
Attempts to contact US snowboard coach Mike Janowski were unsuccessful.
