A 40-year-old man has been arrested and appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with importing cocaine.
Peter Phillip Leaitua, was arrested in Auckland last night. Police opposed bail and Mr Leaitua was remanded in custody until Tuesday, 13 December.
Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid, Auckland Metro Crime and Operations Support (AMCOS), said the arrest follows an investigation into the death of 37-year-old Columbian woman Mrs Sorlinda Aristizabal-Vega in Auckland Hospital on 7 September.
The woman had flown to New Zealand from Argentina on 6 September and became ill the following day after an internally concealed package of cocaine burst inside her.
A post mortem found that she had been carrying more than 20 packages of cocaine worth an estimated $120,000 to $190,000.
Detective Senior Sergeant Schmid said he can’t comment on the specific details of the investigation as it is now a court matter. However further inquiries are being made about the drug’s origin.
“Police are firmly committed to disrupting the supply and distribution of illegal drugs in New Zealand, including attempts to bring drugs across the border.”
As previously reported, Mr Leaitua is the subject of an Interpol Beunos-Aires Red Notice. His arrest in Auckland is not related to the Interpol notice. Interpol Wellington has advised Interpol Beunos-Aires however that Mr Leaitua has been located.
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Released by: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters.
Tel: 04 460 2986