Operation Inca has led to 10 arrests related to harness race fixing and drug offenses.GETTY IMAGES
The tally of arrests at properties across New Zealand as part of an "unprecedented police inquiry into harness race-fixing and drug offending" rose to 10 after a second day of raids on stables and homes, according Van Beynen, Kermeen & Clarkson of STUFF. Four people were "remanded when they appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday facing charges of deceptive practice or drug offences." They were arrested as part of Operation Inca, a "17-month investigation." Judge Tony Couch took the "unusual step of suppressing the details of all the charges for two of the accused, and would only allow the general nature of the charges to be reported" (STUFF, 9/5).
BUSINESS AS USUAL: In New Zealand, Kurt Bayer reported Kiwis "can still punt on New Zealand harness racing despite the developing race-fixing scandal." National betting agency TAB confirmed "bet options and odds" opened Tuesday for Wednesday's scheduled Cambridge Harness meeting. Also, a night meeting at Addington Raceway in Christchurch "will still go ahead, even though some high-profile drivers due to race have been caught up in Operation Inca" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 9/5).
