On December 21, a cruise ship passenger was reportedly found to be in possession of 24 kg of cocaine and has been detained in Northland.
What happened?
The 26 year old French tourist identified as Alexander Steeve Yelengwe Yonkwa-Dingomwas was found to be possession of 24 kg of cocaine worth $10.8 million and has been detained to appear in the Whangarei District Court.
The French tourist has been accused of supplying cocaine and another count of failing without reasonable excuse to assist a police constable exercising a search power when requested to do so under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012.
Faces prison charge:
If the charges against the person has been proved and in possession of Class A controlled drug such as cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Yonkwa-Dingom’s lawyer Arthur Fairley sought a remand without plea, though he did not apply for bail. Judge Duncan Harvey remanded Yonkwa-Dingom back in custody to reappear on January 12, 2018.
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Source: Otago Daily Times
