25nov05
POLICE have urged a former rugby league international who fled a drug raid on the Gold Coast to surrender.
Police set up road blocks and called in a helicopter and the dog squad after Chris Nahi, 32, disappeared into bushland between Nerang and Carrara about 8.30am (AEST) yesterday. The search was launched after Nahi allegedly drove into Matheson Close at Carrara with another man as police were searching a house for drugs.
Nahi spotted police and fled, allegedly jumping into a truck and forcing the driver to take him as far as Nerang. He then ran off into bushland.
Detective Inspector John Hartwell today urged Nahi to surrender to police.
"We are hoping that through contact with his family and his legal representatives that he may decide to come in to police," Insp Hartwell said on ABC radio.
"And we ask that he does surrender himself to save any further anxiety for his family."
Nahi, a former second row forward with Brisbane Easts and the now defunct Gold Coast Chargers, played for the Rest of the World against Australia in 1997.
He also represented the New Zealand Maori at the 2000 World Cup.
It was not clear if Nahi was armed, but police said a search of the house uncovered a loaded 9mm pistol and a quantity of drugs.
Police took fingerprints from a white car outside the house.
The public has been urged not to approach Nahi, who is described as being of Maori appearance, 190cm tall and solidly built, with black hair worn in a rat's tail.
He's heavily tattooed on both arms and was last seen wearing a black singlet, knee-length denim shorts and joggers.
