Heroin found in suitcase, Court told

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34013, 29 November 1975, Page 2

Heroin found in suitcase, Court told

(Aew Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 28. A Christchurch man and woman, both aged 45, have been committed to the Supreme Court in Auckland for trial on a joint charge of importing 1.9 kilograms of heroin, of a possible street value of $3.5m.

Evidence was given that the narcotic was concealed in two suitcases with false bottoms,' and was seized at Auckland Airport on October 12.

The man and woman had returned on the same flight

J from Bangkok and Singapore. The Magistrate’s Court i ; hearing, which ended yester- ' day, .was before Messrs J. Delowe and N. Clavton, ' J.P.s. Detective Superintendent E. G. Perry, of Christchurch. I, said in evidence that a osearch warrant was obtained 'for a house in a suburb; after he received a telephone 'call from the Auckland drug) ■ squad on the evening of' October 12. He spoke to the male accused in a house, and was) told that he had a de facto' relationship with the ’woman, and had returned with her on the same plane) to Auckland. The woman ■ had gone overseas after a disagreement, and had telei phoned and asked him to join her. The man told witness that they had been parted while, coming through Customs at Auckland, and he thought the woman had gone ahead to Christchurch. Mr R. L. Maclaren, who appeared for the woman, said she was an innocent courier, and had been used and abused by unscrupulous people. Although she had been asked by another Christchurch man to collect two suitcases in Bangkok and not to show any undue i curiosity, she believed they were empty, and was shocked when Customs officers prised open the false bottoms. Mr D. J. Boyle, for the man. said that much of the. evidence given was irrete-l vant to the charge, and was : related to the future hearing ' of another Christchurch man, who was facing a separate charge relating to the; same importation of heroin. Mr S. B. W. Grieve, prosecuting. said the woman must have realised she was being asked to do something ille-' gal. The fact that the man had taken §4OOO overseas indicated a willingness to, take in the venture. 1