Law enforcement has dropped murder-for-hire charges against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd on Friday, claiming there was not enough evidence to proceed with charges.

Rudd was initially charged with trying to hire a hit man to commit two murders, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years. Once prosecutors got involved with the case, "they quickly dropped the charges." Rudd still faces a charge of threatening to kill which has a lesser prison sentence maximum of seven years. He will also face charges of possessing marijuana and methamphetamine.

"The file was obtained today and reviewed," Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said in a statement Friday, adding he had "made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder."

Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey, said the public image hit suffered by the rocker was "extremely damaging."

"The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid," Mabey said in a statement, adding "Mr. Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified."

AC/DC released a statement saying they had "only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking."

"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."

The band will release their new album on December 2.