Treasure map to cocaine found in secret codes, Bastion Point Russian sailor case hears
27 Apr, 2021 12:15 AM
3 minutes to read
Russian sailor Aleksandr Cherushev was arrested in 2019 but has denied importing cocaine. Photo / Supplied
Detectives found what might be a modern-day treasure map in an encrypted messaging service after the son of an alleged cocaine importer was arrested.
But instead of digging up gold or silver bullion, police found garbage bags and a cocaine-riddled vitamin bottle, the High Court at Auckland heard today.
Ryszard Wilk, brought back to New Zealand in 2019 to face charges, has pleaded not guilty. Photo / Interpol
Two Polish men and a Russian sailor have pleaded not guilty to a raft of drug charges at the High Court in Auckland, and went on trial last week.
The Russian sailor, secret supermarket meeting & cocaine buried in rubbish bags
19 Apr, 2021 03:02 AM
6 minutes to read
The trial of Patryk Lukasz Lukasik, Ryszard Wilk and Aleksandr Cherushev begins today in the High Court in Auckland. Photo / File
The trial of Patryk Lukasz Lukasik, Ryszard Wilk and Aleksandr Cherushev begins today in the High Court in Auckland. Photo / File
A Russian sailor on a boat from South America, two short trips to New Zealand by Polish nationals and a secret meet-up at a Mount Maunganui New World carpark led to almost 4kg of cocaine being distributed throughout the country, prosecutors allege.
Two Poles, Russian sailor on trial for cocaine import, supply nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The High Court at Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers
The European trio - Ryszard Wilk, Patryk Lukasik, and Aleksandr Cherushev - are facing seven charges relating to 4kg of the Class A drug allegedly shipped to New Zealand from South America. They deny the charges.
In short, the Crown case is Cherushev, a Russian sailor, arrived by boat with the cocaine in September 2016. Wilk flew from Poland with his son, and received 4kg of cocaine from the sailor to offload it to another person whose identity is still not known. Lukasik, who arrived later from the UK, sorted the money.
Auckland s Bastion Point used by drug syndicate to hide drugs, Crown claims stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.