CANNABIS COURIER VANISHES

A homicide inquiry has been launched for a missing man, with Wellington
police fearing he has fallen victim to foul play.

Philip John Cowan, 26, of Hastings suburb Flaxmere, was last seen in
Wellington on March 25.

The Evening Post understands he was in the Capital for almost a week on a
cannabis delivery run. Six detectives from Wellington and a seventh from
Napier are investigating Mr Cowan's disappearance and suspected death.

Wellington CIB boss Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Vaughan said Mr Cowan
hadn't used his bank account since March 19. Money had been deposited into
the account by another person to whom police had spoken.

"As a result of early inquiries we've made, and the fact he hasn't
contacted friends and family, we do have concerns for his safety.

"We can't rule out the possibility he's been the subject of foul play and
could be dead," Mr Vaughan said.

Police became aware of the man's disappearance a couple of weeks ago after
Hawke's Bay police were tipped off. An informant had grave fears for Mr
Cowan's safety and believed he'd fallen victim to foul play.

Mr Vaughan said the car Mr Cowan was driving - a silver Nissan Sunny,
registration NA 670 - was found in Kittyhawk Rd, Bulls, between March 30
and April 1.

However, a missing person report wasn't filed for Mr Cowan till late last
month. His transient lifestyle meant he could be away for long stretches
before friends and family became concerned.

Although the car - which is undergoing forensic testing - wasn't found on a
direct route between Wellington and Flaxmere, police haven't ruled out the
possibility he sidetracked for business or social reasons.

"He is a bit of an enigma. A lot of his friends that he knew didn't
necessarily know each other. He could have been visiting," Mr Vaughan said.

It's known Mr Cowan frequently picked up hitchhikers. Police are also
interviewing people known to have had contact with Mr Cowan in Wellington
and are trying to piece together his movements.

Mr Cowan had recently formed a relationship with a new girlfriend, who was
expecting him home from Wellington on the night of March 25.

He is 192cm tall, thin with straggly blond hair. He has been described as
hippy in appearance, unkempt looking and often with bare feet.

Mr Vaughan said Mr Cowan was money-motivated and popular with his friends.
One of his moneymaking plans was to collect all versions of the
personalised number plates linked to Volkswagens and sell them to
enthusiasts of the cars, hence the police inquiry name of Operation Veedub.

Mr Cowan studied at university but didn't complete his degree. He is known
to have links to the cannabis industry but police don't consider him a
high-profile criminal.

His father declined to comment about the case today, saying he was
comfortable with the way police were handling it.