A woman has been sentenced to five years and five months in jail after attempting to smuggle 4.3 kilograms of cocaine through Auckland International Airport (AKL) in 2023.
New Zealand Customs Service identified the woman as Delphine Ganon, aged 42. Ganon arrived at Auckland Airport in April 2023, and was stopped for questioning by a customs officer.
After a resulting series of investigations and searches, Ganon’s suitcase was found to contain white powder in the lining that tested positive as cocaine. Five cosmetic bottle containers also contained substances that tested positive as liquified cocaine.
According to New Zealand Customs, the 4.3 kilograms of cocaine recovered from the suitcase and cosmetics bottles would have produced around 43,300 common doses, with an estimated total street value of up to NZ$1.94 million ($1.17 million).
It’s estimated that the seizing of these substances may have prevented up to NZ$1.29 million ($780,000) of social harm and cost to New Zealand.
“Customs remains ever-alert in our daily fight to stop the flow of illegal drugs from entering New Zealand. Our officers are well-equipped to identify and stop people who think they can bring illegal substances into our communities,” Paul Williams, Customs Manager at Auckland Airport said in a statement.
Ganon appeared in the Manukau District Court on May 9, 2024, and was convicted for importing and possessing a Class A controlled drug (cocaine).