Case of the missing tusk reopened

From the Marlborough Express: Case of the missing tusk reopened

The Marlborough Express is reopening a cold case of the elephant tusks which were reportedly stolen from a Marlborough art gallery.

The 1992 theft was mentioned in a news article last week, and piqued our curiosity. However, no-one in the Marlborough arts scene we have contacted has been able to shed much light on the subject.

One of the tusks was unearthed by police at the Kapiti home of convicted drug dealer Jack Webber, 49, also known as "Island Jack" and now presumed drowned.

An inquest is to be held into his death on December 19, along with that of his friend Hamish Kronfield, who went missing in May 1999 when their boat overturned near Passage Rocks, of the eastern side of Kapiti Island.

"Island Jack" first hit the headlines when he and two associates were arrested in 1995 on drugs and firearms charges.

The Dominion article said police also dug from the lawn a 40-kilogram elephant tusk, one of a pair stolen in 1992 from a Marlborough art gallery.

While on home detention, Mr Webber was caught trying to smuggle six packets of heroin into Rimutaka Prison.

He later supplied an undercover officer with morphine and cannabis worth more than $10,000. He was jailed again in 1996.

At the time, police said he had a criminal record going back to 1969, but "to friends and acquaintances he was a gentleman".

Chief coroner's office spokesman Steve Corbett said the inquest, to be held on December 19, was one of several that were part of a joint initiative by the chief coroner and the police missing persons unit to review older files to check if there was any new information and wrap them up.

If you have information about the tusks call reporter Simon Wong on 03 520 8926 or email swong@marlexpress.co.nz.