AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd no longer facing murder-for-hire charge

New Zealand authorities have dropped a murder-for-hire charge against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd.

Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones “made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure a murder,” the prosecution office told the Los Angeles Times in a statement issued Friday afternoon, New Zealand time.

However, Rudd, 60, is still charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana and threatening to kill, the staff said. The Australian-born rocker was taken into custody Thursday morning in conjunction with the execution of a search warrant at his waterfront home in Tauranga, according to Tony Rickard-Simms, the attorney who represented him at a same-day hearing.

The drummer was released on bail after a short afternoon appearance in Tauranga District Court, where he entered no plea.

In a statement to the New Zealand Herald, Rudd’s regular attorney, Paul Mabey, said, “The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitors opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn - within twenty four hours of Mr. Rudd’s first appearance in Court.”

Attempts to reach Mabey for additional comment were unsuccessful.

“We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking,” AC/DC said in a statement on its website. “We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.”

Rudd has lived in New Zealand since 1983, moving there after being cut from the Australian band. He returned to the group in the early ‘90s and had been expected to go on world tour in support of the new AC/DC album, coming out Dec. 2.

Staff writer Christie D’Zurilla contributed to this report.

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