Evidence
The Christchurch meth files
File references are this project’s own; they are not court, police or exhibit numbers. Every line below is carried by the numbered sources cited on this page.
The Christchurch meth files · 1982—2026
A charge of importing LSD and methamphetamine at Christchurch Airport, laid in September 1982, is the earliest city-linked prosecution in this record. In March 1983 a jury found Joanne Forrest-Smith not guilty on both counts and she was discharged. An acquittal, not a laboratory find — and not proof that a laboratory existed. 6061
The contemporaneous newspaper reports connect Joanne Forrest-Smith to alleged importation at Christchurch Airport in September 1982, then report her acquittal and discharge in March 1983. This is the earliest such prosecution located in the searched material; it does not establish a successful importation or the first methamphetamine ever present in the city. The original lab archive begins with the January 1990 Norwich Street discovery. 6061
Not guilty on both drug-importing charges; discharged by Justice Roper. This is the earliest Christchurch-linked methamphetamine prosecution located in this research, not a proven importation or a laboratory. 6061
ACQUITTEDNamed defendant, aged26 in the contemporary report; acquittal preserved. No finding of guilt is implied by inclusion.
| Person | Legal position | Outcome / qualification | Src |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joanne Forrest-Smith | Acquitted and discharged | Not guilty on both drug-importing charges; discharged by Justice Roper. This is the earliest Christchurch-linked methamphetamine prosecution located in this research, not a proven importation or a laboratory. | 6061 |