Drug accused critically ill

A man accused of setting up a drug lab in Darwin has been seriously injured in an accident.

Malcolm Tschirpig, 23, is critically ill in Royal Darwin Hospital. He is believed to have suffered third degree burns to 40 per cent of his body in an industrial accident.

It is understood he is waiting to be flown from Darwin to Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Tschirpig was due to plead guilty in Darwin Magistrate's Court yesterday to 14 charges of possessing dangerous drugs and equipment for drug manufacturing.

But defence lawyer Alan Woodcock told the court his client was in a critical condition and unable to appear.

The case was adjourned until January.

Tschirpig and his alleged co-offender Jaime Pincott, 25, were arrested in July after a police raid on a drug laboratory at Winnellie.

The pair were already on bail after police raided a Darwin motel room in April.

Pincott and Tschirpig were denied bail after the Winnellie raid. But in August they were released on bail - $2000 for Pincott and $3000 for Tschirpig - on condition they enter a residential drug rehabilitation program at Banyan House.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 26th November 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Rebecca Hewett
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Url: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News