The first of those arrested in relation to the alleged match-fixing of the harness racing industry has appeared in court.
A 26-year-old male who has name suppression, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday morning facing charges of deception by match-fixing, and possession and supply of a Class B drug.
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Five other men will appear in court next week facing match-fixing charges, along with a 41-year-old woman who faces two counts of supplying Class B drugs.
The arrests come after a 17-month police investigation dubbed Operation Inca, which explored alleged corruption within the industry.
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Police raided 11 harness racing stables and dwellings across the country on Tuesday.
Search warrants were executed on nine properties in Christchurch, and one each in Manawatu and Invercargill, as a result of the long-running probe into alleged corruption within the industry.
The investigation was sparked by the Racing Integrity Unit, which tipped off police with information of the alleged illegal activity.
Anyone with relevant information towards this investigation are urged to contact police on harness@police.govt.nz or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
