1080 blackmailer faces court

He faces two charges of blackmail, but cannot be named for at least six months because of a suppression order.

Charging documents allege the action was financially motivated.

At Manukau District Court last week Judge David Harvey raised the possibility that the matter could be elevated to the High Court because of the seriousness of the allegations.

The accused was remanded in custody without plea until November 6.

A criminal investigation started when letters were sent to Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November last year threatening to poison infant formula if New Zealand did not stop using 1080 poison by the end of March this year.

The public was told of the threat in March and formula was taken from supermarket shelves and held securely to prevent contamination.

In what became known as Operation Concord, 60 people considered of significant interest were approached for interview by police.

At least 2600 people were considered, costing police $3 million, and a man was arrested in mid-October. Police said they believed the arrested man acted alone and no one else has been charged.

However, several company names have also been suppressed by the court.

According to court documents, the man "threatened expressly to endanger the safety of any person, namely infants, by releasing infant milk formula into the Chinese market contaminated with traces of 1080, with intent to make Federated Farmers and Fonterra pressure the New Zealand Government to stop the use of 1080 in New Zealand".

Blackmail is punishable by up to 14 years jail.